NIGERIA: Over 7 000 Christians Killed Thus Far in 2025

Sources: Mission Network News, The Christian Post, The Catholic World Report, Morning Star News, VOM Canada

Persecuted believers in Nigeria are familiar with grief. 

Reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria continue to multiply, with attacks from multiple sources surging in both frequency and intensity. According to a report released on 10 August, more than 7 000 Nigerian Christians had been killed within the first 220 days of 2025 – an average of 32 deaths per day.

Additionally, at least 7 800 followers of Jesus were abducted for their faith, more than 19 000 churches have been destroyed, and over 1 100 Christian communities are now dealing with displacement in the aftermath of these attacks.

While the danger stems from various sources, the majority of attacks were perpetrated by Boko Haram jihadists and radical Fulani herdsmen. On 24 August, for instance, two Christians were killed when Fulani militants ambushed a group of farmers in Benue State. A similar incident took place on 27 August in Bauchi State. When five Christians went to check on their farms, they encountered a group of Fulani herdsmen who were using their land to graze cattle. The Christian farmers were attacked, resulting in one of them being killed and three others injured.

Three days later, on 30 August, five Believers who had been working on their farms in Borno State were killed by Boko Haram militants. The next day, members of Boko Haram attacked the village of Mussa during the night, killing three Christians who were asleep at the time of the invasion.

While such incidents of violence continue to be reported daily, the relentless stream of devastating attacks against Nigerian Christians can regrettably lead to a sense of complacency among those personally unaffected by religious persecution. Yet, may the touching stories of Believers whose lives are being directly affected – including the many faithful followers of Christ who are responding to their attackers with the hope of the Gospel – be used by God to reignite a renewed fervency for greatly needed prayerful support.

• Pray that God will continue to guide and bless the efforts of Nigerian Believers who are faithfully demonstrating His love, hope and peace to others in need of eternal salvation by sharing the Gospel message, even in the midst of ongoing persecution and hardship.

• May Believers around the world be moved to support our Nigerian family in Christ through unceasing prayer, advocacy and practical humanitarian aid.

• Ask the Lord to comfort all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones, minister healing to survivors recovering from physical injuries and trauma, mightily intervene on behalf of Christians held in captivity by Islamic militants, and provide greatly needed help and restoration to displaced Believers who have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the violence.