*Say’s 55,910 Christians killed, 21,000 abducted in 2019- 2023
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Borno Kanuri born human rights activist, and Director General, Centre for Justice on Religion and Ethnicity in Nigeria, Rev Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, has complied and submitted a strong worded petition to United States president Donald Trump.
In the letter front dated 31 March 2025, is addressed to the US President via US Embassy Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area Abuja Nigeria.
The elaborated reports made available to our Northern Bureau, Idibia Gabriel, weekend by the activist with several other startling revelations about statistics on widespread killings of Christians, hitherto reads in parts;
31-March-2025,
His Excellency,
President Donald Trump,
United States of America USA,
C/O US Embassy Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area Abuja Nigeria.
Your Excellency Sir.
REPORTS OF US CONGRESS ON NIGERIA ABOUT THE KILLINGS OF CHRISTIANS:
The US Congress has been scrutinizing Nigeria’s handling of Christian persecution, and it’s sparked a reaction from the Nigerian government. According to reports, the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved measures to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to the widespread persecution of Christians.
The Nigerian government has rejected these reports, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing them as a “misleading campaign” aimed at influencing foreign governments to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
However, lawmakers in the US Congress have condemned the Nigerian government for its failure to protect Christian communities from escalating violence, citing alarming data from multiple human rights organizations. Some of the alarming statistics include: – Christian Deaths: A 2024 report revealed that Nigeria accounted for 90% of all Christians killed globally each year ¹. –
Abductions and Killings: Between October 2019 and September 2023, at least 55,910 people were killed, and 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the country. – Attacks on Churches: Violent assaults on churches and their congregations are reportedly carried out on a near-weekly basis in northern and central Nigeria. These statistics have led to calls for the US government to take action, with some lawmakers urging President Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria. The Nigerian government’s response to the US Congress report on the killing of Christians in Nigeria has been dismissive, but it’s hard to deny the overwhelming evidence. The US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa’s report highlighted the alarming scale of violence against Christians, with at least 55,910 people killed and 21,000 others abducted by terrorist groups between October 2019 and September 2023. The report also cited a staggering statistic from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which found that Nigerians accounted for 90% of all Christians killed worldwide each year. This is a stark reminder that the violence in Nigeria is not just a domestic issue, but a global concern. The introduction of Sharia law in Nigeria in 2001 was a highly controversial and violent process. Former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yarima Bakura, a member of the Izala Islamic group, played a key role in introducing Sharia law in his state. This move was met with fierce resistance from Christians in Kaduna State, who protested against the implementation of Sharia law. Unfortunately, these protests turned deadly, with hundreds of Christians killed in the violence. Other states, including Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, also witnessed significant violence against Christians. The crisis was further complicated by the fact that Nigeria’s federal government, led by President Olusegun Obasanjo, seemed reluctant to intervene.
…As a born-again Christian, Obasanjo’s inaction was seen as a failure to protect his fellow Christians. The introduction of Sharia law in Nigeria had far-reaching consequences, exacerbating religious tensions and leading to widespread human rights abuses. The violence that erupted in 2001 was just the beginning of a longer period of instability and bloodshed. The Muslims started attacking and killing Christians in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and to date, they have continued to kill Christians in their villages in Plateau State, using the Fulani herdsmen. In Benue, Nasarawa States, and Southern Kaduna, Christians are killed every day. In Borno State, the Boko Haram insurgents were created to target Christians. On February 18, 2006, the Boko Haram terrorist group burnt down 56 churches, killing over 200 Christians, including men, women, and children. They also burnt down shops and houses belonging to Christians. The second attack by Boko Haram terrorists occurred in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on July 9, 2009. Up to 30 churches were burnt down, and over 70 Christians were killed. During the 2011 presidential elections, hundreds of Christians were killed, and many churches were burnt down in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and almost all the northern states. Northern Muslim political leaders, traditional rulers, and Islamic scholars seemed to condone the killing of Christians, implicitly supporting the perpetrators. These leaders deceived the perpetrators, backing them until the United States declared Boko Haram a terrorist group. Only then did the political leaders, traditional rulers, and Islamic scholars secretly withdraw their open support. All the Islamic Izala aid group scholars have already declared war against Christians in Nigeria since 2001 to date. We have written a letter titled “Open Letter to the Senate President: My Suggestion on How to Tackle Boko Haram” to the then President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator David A.B. Mark, GCON, dated 17 June, 2011. The letter carried the names of the sponsors of Boko Haram and detailed information on how they were sponsoring the group, along with 6 VCDs. The Office of the Senate President replied to my letter, dated February 29, 2012; the letter is attached. Another letter titled “Lectures by Islamic Scholars in Nigeria to Hate and Make War on Christians in the Country” was written to the same President of the Senate, dated July 4, 2012. On November 21, 2011, another letter titled “Why Boko Haram Should Be Listed as a Terrorist Group by the United States” was written. Despite these letters, no action has been taken because Nigerian Muslim political leaders, traditional rulers, and some so-called Christian politicians seem to be condoning the killing of Christians in the country. Christians are being targeted and killed by Muslims in a prepared jihad. During the 2023 Presidential Election, the agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was purely targeted against Christians in the country. This was why they used a Muslim-Muslim ticket and manipulated the election, which was not a genuine win. Our under-aged Christian girls, aged 12-17 years, are always targeted for abduction and forced conversion to Islam, and then married off to Muslims against their will. We have all the facts about the abduction of under-aged Christian girls by traditional rulers and government officials, who use their political power to intimidate and harass the poor parents of these girls. Leah Sharibu’s case is indeed a distressing one. In 2018, she was among the Dapchi schoolgirls abducted by the ISWAP terrorist group in Yobe State. While the Muslim girls were released two days later, Leah, a Christian, was held back for refusing to renounce her faith. There have been reports that Leah has been married off to one of the commanders and has given birth to two children. However, these reports are unverified, and her parents have yet to see or hear from her directly. It’s worth noting that Leah’s family and supporters are calling for her release and rescue. They are urging the Nigerian government and international authorities to take action. Sir we look forward to your prompt attention to re-address this great injustice meted to Nigeria Citizens in total violation of their inherent rights enshrined in the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended We have attached all the relevant documents for your reference.
Thank You
Yours Faithfully Rev Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa,Director General Centre for Justice on Religion and Ethnicity in Nigeria.08033497229, 08025510331.
