A new international report has raised concerns over worsening persecution of Christians in Nigeria, documenting killings, kidnappings, destruction of churches and the displacement of communities amid persistent extremist violence.
The report, titled Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for Their Faith 2024–2026, was published by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity, on October 27.
It examined religious freedom conditions in 18 countries between August 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026, and found that persecution and oppression of Christians worsened in 10 of the countries assessed, including Nigeria.
According to the report, more than 3.5 million people are internally displaced in Nigeria, with at least one million Christians among them.
It attributed the displacement to escalating violence that has forced entire communities to flee their homes, particularly in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
The report identified attacks by jihadist groups, bandits and other armed groups as major drivers of insecurity, noting that Christian communities have been particularly affected in some areas.
It also documented killings, abductions and attacks on churches and Christian villages, with some victims subjected to beheadings and other forms of violence.
The report featured the experience of Solomon Ako, a 33-year-old Christian from northern Nigeria who was abducted when militants attacked his village.
According to his account, his captors demanded that he and other hostages renounce Christianity and convert to Islam. Those who refused were beaten and chained.
“They whipped us with whips. Our legs were put in chains,” Ako recounted.
The report said Christian persecution had also intensified in other parts of the world, particularly in countries experiencing extremist violence, authoritarian repression and religious nationalism.
Globally, approximately 220 million Christians are directly exposed to persecution, according to ACN’s findings, while 413 million live in countries where serious violations of religious freedom occur.
The study also found that none of the 18 countries examined recorded an overall improvement in the situation of Christians during the period under review.
In Africa, the report identified sub-Saharan Africa as one of the world’s most dangerous regions for Christians, citing the expansion of extremist groups and persistent attacks on religious communities.
It noted that six of the 10 countries most affected by terrorism in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index are in Africa, including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, the report cautioned against attributing all violence in affected countries exclusively to religion, noting that ethnic tensions, political instability, poverty and competition over land and other resources often overlap with religious identity.
