NIGERIA

Population: 181 million
Dominant Religion: Christianity
Christians: 50.4 percent
Persecution Ranking: 6

Deadly attacks by Fulani herdsmen have intensified in Nigeria this year. On April 2 and 3rd, more than 60 Christians in seven settlements were murdered in Plateau State. More than 1,000 are now displaced. Other recent attacks have left more than 3,000 displaced. Victims have lost family members, homes, and their farms. Militants also destroy schools, hospitals, and anything else needed for infrastructure, leaving victims with no choice but to live in camps.

Though Plateau State suffers from the worst attacks, Nigeria’s Middle Belt states are all hit with violence. In some cases, it has spread to southern states where Christians are the majority; a new development that suggests no place is safe from the murderers.

The Open Doors watchlist for 2025 puts Nigeria as the seventh worst place to be a Christian. Fulani herdsmen on jihad have murdered over 7,400 settled Christians, nearly double what Boko Haram has done.

A disturbing fact is that attacks often happen near military installations where soldiers are charged with the responsibility of protecting local citizens. Some hypothesize that the military and the government sympathize with the Fulanis, but there is little hard evidence to support this.

Why the Killing?

There are many theories as to the motivation for these unprovoked attacks. Some believe it is because of religious differences. The Fulani attackers are Muslim, and their victims are Christians. Kidnap victims confirm that they hear their kidnappers talking about spreading Islam to new lands. The Islamic religion allows great leeway for attacking non-Muslims, and those with a militant mindset use this as an excuse to kill, steal, and destroy. Others suggest an economic reason. As desertification makes more land useless for grazing in the north, Fulanis seize farmland to the south, where there is enough water for their livestock.

Who is Funding the Attacks?
Some say that the Fulani herdsmen work independently of one another, suggesting the attacks are uncoordinated. Others say that ransom from kidnappings makes the attacks profitable. Still others suggest foreign Muslim governments are to blame. Attackers have been found with foreign currency, but this is their only evidence of foreign intervention.

Whatever it is, innocent people are suffering in Nigeria, and the problem is spreading like cancer. Ideally, the military would protect innocent farmers, but that isn’t consistently happening. Ideally, greed and a lust for power would not be a factor, but these are both part of our fallen nature. We need to pray for God’s protection of our brothers and sisters in this large African nation.

Pray Fervently for:

  • Pray for the Lord to protect His children in Nigeria in such a way that attackers will have a healthy fear of the Almighty (The Bible, Psalm 91:3-4).
  • Pray for integrity within the Nigerian military, that they will defend the innocent (Ezra 8:22, The Bible).
  • Pray for the Lord to raise up experts in finding water sources for livestock herders so their needs will be met (The Bible, Genesis 21:19).

Sources:

Christian Post. Over 60 Christians killed by radicalized Fulani in Nigeria; 383 homes destroyed: report. April 9, 2025.

Christian Daily. More than 50 Christians slain in Plateau state, Nigeria. April 14, 2025.

Truth Nigeria. Fulani Militia Terror Expansion Sparks Alarm in Southwest Nigeria. April 8, 2025.