•14m Christians sacked, 52,250 killed along with 34,000 moderate Muslims since 2009 Boko Haram uprising, says Intersociety

Over 5,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2022, while 1,041 were slaughtered within the first 100 days of 2023. This is according to a Special Report released yesterday, Monday, April 10, 2023, by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety).

The Report “dedicated to Chinwe Patrick, Abande Njoor and 1,039 others killed by Jihadists in 100 days” also disclosed that 14 million Christians were sacked from their homes, while 52,250 were killed along with 34,000 moderate Muslims since the 2009 Boko Haram insurgency.

Compiled by Intersociety Board Chair Emeka Umeagbalasi, assisted by Chidinma Udegbunam Esquire, Head, Campaign and Publicity Department: Ndidiamaka Chinaza Bernard Esquire, Head, Int’l Justice and Human Rights Program; and Ositadinma Agu,

Head, Int’l Contacts and Mobilization, the Report listed the following 36 names “among over 50 defenseless Christians slaughtered by Jihadist Fulani herdsmen on 13th March 2023 in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State while 16 under-listed others including three Igbo female Christian sisters (Favor Patrick, Peace Patrick and Chinwe Patrick), represent 17 defenseless Christians hacked to death in Ungwan Wakili, Zagon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State on 10th March 2023”:

“Abande Njoor, Iornum Sonter, Abraham Terna, Aker Shagba Achuna, Kendon Tyover, Ornguga Tyodoo, Ajoh Iorhemba, Orshio Msughter, Abe Nyam, Aker Ushahembas, Ayagwa Lunen, Apav Terhile, Jirbee Amaku, Aza Bem, Ahil Wende, Iormumbes Ashi Shimave, Terhemba Madom, Andyar Aemberga, Kundu Igba, Tarkper Adomko, Jirbee Amaku, Terlumun Swen, Terna Udam, Atighir Aondokula, Terfa Mbagbar, Terver Mbagbar, Terzungwe Chagh, Tyoazua Aondona, Kogh Aondowase, Akura Utoo, Iortsor Shaapera, Awuhe Terhemen, Lase Mbanengen, Kuku Terngu, Kuku Mzehemen and Hangeuir Iorwuese Kuta” – 36 of over 50 Christian victims of Kwande-Benue Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen massacre of 13th March 2023.

“Daniel Soji, Emmanuel Ibrahim, Jummai Gajere, Aaron Thomas, Rahila Sunday Ishaya, Blessing Zakaria, Felicia Zakaria, Gloria Zakaria, Gaji Tonak, Elizabeth Tokan, Peace Tokan, Favor Patrick, Peace Patrick and Chinwe Patrick (three Igbo female Christians); Ruth John and Emmanuel John”. – 16 of 17 slaughtered victims of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen attack in Ungwan Wakili in Zagon Kataf Local Council Area of Kaduna on 10th March 2023.

“Precious Timothy, Sunday Ishaya, Jessica Zakaria, Chison Ikechukwu (Igbo), Patience Matthew and Jessica Tokan”. – Six Christians surviving Christians wounded in the attack.”

Below are excerpts of the Report by Intersociety which has monitored and exposed persecution of Christians and minority others since 2010:

“380 Christians Hacked To Death In Benue In 100 Days, 940 Since Jan 2022 And 2m IDPs Generated

“Slaying of Christians by Nigerian Central Government protected Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State has risen to an apogee. This is to the extent that in 2022, not less than 560 were slaughtered and in the past first 100 days of 2023 or 1st Jan to 10th April 2023, the State has lost additional 380 defenseless Christians. The Federal Government protected Jihadist attacks have also generated not less than 2m internally displaced persons (IDPs). Apart from brazen conspiracy and lackadaisical attitudes of the outgoing Federal Government of Nigeria and federal security agencies, the outgoing Government of Benue State has also failed woefully to protect Christian citizens of the State. The State Government other than occasionally crying out, has failed woefully to put proactive measures in place to checkmate and tame such attacks; to the extent that the Jihadists now invade any Christian Community of their target at will and slaughter its natives and takeover their lands and properties at will. Available statistics have shown that apart from losing 560 Christian lives in 2022, not less than 12 Christians were slaughtered on 28th Jan in Kwande LGA, 9 in Guma LGA on 30th Jan, six in Apa LGA on 4th Feb, six in Gwer West LGA on Feb 9, eight in Gboko LGA on Feb 12, thirteen in Guma LGA on Feb 26, seven in Gwer West on Feb 28, 36 in Kwande on March 3, eight in Gwer West on March 7, over ten in Kwande LGA on March 8, seven in Guma LGA on March 8, three in Obi on March 13, over fifty in Kwande on 13th March, five in Agatu LGA and Oturkpo LGA on March 23, five in Guma LGA on March 26, seven in Apa LGA (six) and Logo LGA (one killed) on 1st April, 52 in Umogidi-Oturkpo LGA on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th April, 47 in Ikobi-Apa LGA on 4th April and 36 in Mgbam, Nyiev ward of Guma LGA on 7th April 2023.

“52,250 Christians And 34,000 Moderate Muslims Or 85,250 Faith Believers Killed Since July 2009

“Nigeria is most likely to have recorded ‘direct deaths’ of over 85,250 defenseless Nigerian citizens in the hands of Islamic Jihadists and their ‘esprit de jihad’ in the country’s security forces since 2009. As at July 2021, according to our special report of 4th August 2021, no fewer than 43,000 Christians were hacked to death involving: BH, ISWAP and Ansaru 18,500 Christian deaths, Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen 18,500-19,000 Christian deaths and others 6000 Christian deaths. The number of moderate Muslims killed for nonviolently professing Islam in Nigeria as at July 2021 was estimated at 29,000. Apart from about 1,300 Shiite Muslims shot and killed and thousands of Muslim women and children unlawfully killed by Nigerian Military in the North-East, the rest of Muslim victims were killed by Muslim jihadists. This is with the exception of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen who specifically target and massacre Christians and wantonly destroy or burn down their sacred places of worship and learning; homes and farmlands. Going by our findings warranting this special investigative report, the number of Christians killed in the country for nonviolently professing Christianity between July 2009 and April 2023 has risen to 52,250 while that of nonviolent Muslims increased from 29,000 to 34,000; or a total of 85,250 religious deaths in all. The 52,250 Christian deaths in Nigeria in fourteen years recorded addition of 9, 250 Christian deaths from the July 2021 figure of 43,000; out of which, Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen accounted for 6000 Christian deaths and security forces, Jihadist Fulani Bandits, BH, ISWAP, Ansaru and others 3,250.

“Radical Islamism Under Buhari Killed 30,250 Christians In Eight Years (2015-2023)

“By our previous reports, BH, ISWAP and Ansaru killed not less than 11,500 Christians from July 2009 to May 2015 and Jihadist Herdsmen accounted for the death of 6,500 Christians within the same period. However, between June 2015 and April 2023, deadliest Christian deaths of 18,250 were recorded in the hands of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen protected by the outgoing Buhari Government of Nigeria; involving: 650 Christian deaths in June-Dec 2015; 1,700 in 2016; 2000 in 2017; 2,400 in 2018, 1200 in 2019, 2500, out of 3,530 recorded Christian deaths in 2020, 3,700 of 5,191 in 2021 and 3,500, out of 5,068 recorded Christian deaths in 2022 and 600 of the 1,041 Christian deaths recorded in first 100 days of 2023. It is 30,250 Christian deaths when 8000 killed by BH, ISWAP, Ansaru and Jihadist Bandits as well as 4000 killed by the Nigerian Military including 2,500 in the East since August 2015 and others in Christian communities in Northern Nigeria since 2015 are added.

“14 Million Christians Uprooted And Five Million Forced Into IDPs And Refugee Camps

“No fewer than 50 million Christians majority of them in Northern Nigeria are facing serious threats from Jihadists for being professed Christians; out of which not less than fourteen million have been uprooted and eight million forced to flee their homes to avoid being hacked to death. About five million have been displaced and forced into IDP camps within Nigeria and refugee camps at regional and sub-regional borders. There are presently over two million IDPs in Benue State alone and close to 2m others are in the States of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba; with the remainder scattered in Niger, Kebbi, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Nassarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and so on. Thousands have also become ‘urban refugees’ in foreign lands.

“18,000 Churches And 2200 Christian Schools Attacked In Fourteen Years Or Since July 2009

“By the findings of Intersociety, as much as 18,000 churches and 2200 Christian schools and other Christian learning centers are most likely to have been attacked by the Jihadists or destroyed in part or in whole including being razed or burned down. As at 2021, the number of churches attacked and destroyed or burned down rose to over 300 and from July 2009 to July 2021, about 17,500 churches and 2000 Christian schools were brutally affected. The number of Mosques and Islamic learning centers attacked by the Jihadists is minutely disproportionate when compared to number of churches or Christian schools attacked. While attacks on symbols of worship by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits are 100 percent targeted at churches and Christian schools, those perpetrated by BH, ISWAP, Ansaru and others are mostly directed at churches and Christian schools with insignificant percent directed at Mosques and Islamic learning centers. The attacks on churches especially those belonging to the African Instituted Churches branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) by the Nigerian Military and the Police crack squads in Eastern Nigeria have also increased to over 300 since Jan 2021. The security forces have recklessly applied false labeling, stigmatization and false intelligence to target and unlawfully attack traditional religious sanctuaries leading to attack and destruction of not less than 500 of them in Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Kogi, Benue, etc. Such attacks are deceitfully coded or coated with “counter Biafra terror operations” but the original motives are driving towards castrating rural Igbo/Christians’ self defensive mechanisms and paving way for Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen invasion and massacre. According to Ms Anna Mulder of the US based Open Doors, “between July 2009 and Dec 2014, a period of five years, BH killed 11,000-11,500 Christians in Northern Nigeria, forced 1.6m to flee their homes to avoid being hacked to death by the Jihadists who also burnt or destroyed 13,500 churches and 1,500 Christian schools”.

“800 Christian Communities Uprooted By Jihadists Since 2009

“No fewer than 800 Christian communities have uprooted and seized or taken over; with many of them renamed and Islamized by the Jihadists since 2009. BH, ISWAP and Ansaru and Jihadist Fulani Bandits have forced Christians out of their ancestral homes and communities in droves in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba, Kastina, Sokoto and Niger States while Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen have sacked and are still sacking hundreds of Christian communities in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and Adamawa States. Over 150 communities have been affected in Southern Kaduna alone and in Benue, Plateau and Taraba States, Christian homes, churches and settlements have been destroyed and replaced with Mosques and Muslim settlements. Christian communities of Borno, Taraba, Niger, Adamawa, Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Benue States are the worst hit. Indigenous Christians used to be dominant in Southern Borno, Southern Kebbi, Northern Adamawa, and parts of Gombe, 40% in the entire Kaduna and over 80% in Southern part of the State and have 80% population in Plateau, over 90% in Benue and 60% in Taraba. They are also found in their large numbers in at least five Local Government Areas of Niger State including Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, etc. In Enugu State, not less than 22 communities are facing severe threats in the hands of the Nigerian Army protected Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and in Anambra’s Orumba North, Orumba South, the story is not different.

“Progenitors Of Nigerian Christian Converts More Protected In Oracular Era than Present

“It is the observation of Intersociety that the Nigerian Christian leaders have abandoned their spiritual calling as defenders of faith and protectors of their faith members and deeply engrossed in the pursuit of crude material wealth. They also pay more attention in building ‘palatial paradises on earth’ and little attention at protecting their churches and members of their laity; thereby exposing them to grave vulnerabilities to attacks by radical Islamists clandestinely funded by Muslim hardliners and hypocritical public office holders who pretend to be “Christians”. Most of them are so engrossed in the pursuit of material wealth that they have become ‘armed robbers’ using Holy Bible as their ‘AK-47s”. It is therefore no longer contestable that forefathers and foremothers of the Nigerian Christian converts were more protected and divinely guarded during the Oracular Period under Pre-Christian Papacy than they are under the present Christian leaders. The dry material quest and lackadaisical attitudes of the Nigerian Christian leaders are also forcing Christian converts to leave the Church in droves to embrace other non-Christian denominations. It must be warned that if extreme care is not taken to rescue the Christendom and the Church, the churches or church buildings in Nigeria will become the present day Turkish church monuments in fifty years time or less than that.”

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