In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a chilling escalation of violence against Christians, with armed militants attacking church services, kidnapping worshippers, and even gunning down pastors and congregants mid-prayer. These attacks are not random; they underscore a broader security crisis, deep religious tension, and the failure of the Nigerian state to protect innocent lives.

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A Growing Pattern of Violence in Worship Spaces

• In Kaduna State, gunmen burst into Bege Baptist Church during Sunday service, abducting dozens of congregants. According to church leaders, as many as 40 people were initially taken, though 15 later escaped.
• In Kwara State, a livestreamed service at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku was interrupted by armed attackers. According to reports, gunmen shot into the building, killed the pastor and at least one worshipper, and abducted several others.
• On July 7, 2025, Rev. Emmanuel Na’allah Auta of Bege Baptist Church in Yaribori (Katsina State) was shot dead during service. Witnesses say gunmen arrived on motorcycles, killed the pastor, and kidnapped a woman.

Who Is Behind the Attacks, Terrorists, Bandits, or Both?

• Some of the attacks are claimed or attributed to Islamist extremist groups, including Boko Haram.
• But other attacks are conducted by “bandits”, heavily armed militias that roam northern and central Nigeria. In the Kwara church attack, the assailants are described as bandits, not necessarily Boko Haram.
• These groups exploit weak governance, poor security infrastructure, and unguarded religious sites to carry out attacks with impunity.

Why Churches Are Being Targeted During Services

1. Religious Symbolism and Fear: Churches are highly symbolic targets. Attacking them during service is meant to sow terror, send a message that no place is safe, and challenge Christian presence in majority-Muslim areas.
2. Kidnapping for Ransom or Leverage: By abducting worshippers, including pastors, these groups demand ransoms, or use hostages as bargaining chips or propaganda tools.
3. Political and Ethnic Tensions: In some regions, the threat is wrapped in religious and ethnic violence. These attacks are used to destabilize communities, undermine faith, and force displacement.
4. State Inaction or Complicity: Many Nigerians argue that local authorities are too weak to protect remote churches. In some cases, state security forces are accused of being slow to respond, or worse, complicit.

The Human Cost Is Immense

• Lives lost: Pastors and congregants are being killed in sacred spaces.
• Terrorized communities: Worshippers now fear attending church, especially in rural or poorly defended areas.
• Abductions: Dozens of Christians are still being held, and some have never been rescued.
• Psychological trauma: Survivors, families, and entire communities are left grappling with trauma, loss, and insecurity, especially when their places of prayer turn into battlegrounds.

What This Reveals About Nigeria’s Insecurity

• Failed protection: The Nigerian government has not guaranteed the safety of its citizens, including in places of worship.
• Religious persecution risk: While some attacks are economically motivated, others clearly target Christian communities, raising concerns about religious persecution.
• Broken trust: When people cannot worship freely, it undermines their trust in the state’s ability to protect them and erodes national unity.
• Need for urgent reform: There must be stronger security for churches, better intelligence on militant groups, and accountability for those who allow or facilitate these attacks.

What Must Happen Next

1. Security Overhaul: The government needs to prioritize protection of religious sites, especially in vulnerable regions.
2. Stronger Intelligence and Prosecution: Militants operating across states must be tracked, captured, and prosecuted.
3. Community Defense Systems: Faith communities should be supported to build safe and resilient church infrastructures.
4. International Pressure: The global community must demand action for the safety of worshippers in Nigeria.
5. Reconciliation and Dialogue: Long-term peace requires addressing the root causes of violence, including religious and ethnic marginalization.