Ongoing Christian Genocide in Nigeria: PFN Insists on Urgent Government Action

Discover the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria’s (PFN) stark warning about persistent religious violence targeting Christians, with demands for accountability and security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.

Introduction

In Nigeria, a nation grappling with complex ethnic and religious tensions, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has raised alarms over what it describes as an ongoing Christian genocide. PFN President Bishop Wale Oke made this declaration during an emergency executive meeting at the organization’s national headquarters in Lagos. This statement underscores years of reported assaults, killings, kidnappings, and displacements affecting Christian communities, particularly in northern and central regions like Borno, Plateau, and Benue states.

The PFN’s insistence highlights a pattern of religious violence in Nigeria that has drawn international attention, including recent comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Bishop Oke urged President Bola Tinubu to overhaul the country’s security apparatus and ensure justice for victims. This article provides a pedagogical breakdown of the PFN’s position, contextualizing it within verifiable incidents of persecution, while optimizing understanding for readers seeking insights into Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Analysis

The PFN’s use of the term “Christian genocide” invokes the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), which defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. While legal experts debate its precise application here, the PFN points to systematic patterns of violence as evidence.

Historical Context of Religious Violence in Nigeria

Nigeria’s religious landscape features a Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south, with flashpoints in the Middle Belt. Groups like Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen militants have been linked to attacks on Christian farmers and villages. According to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List, Nigeria ranks second globally for Christian persecution, with over 5,000 Christians killed for faith-related reasons in 2023 alone. This data supports PFN’s claims of ongoing threats.

Specific Incidents Cited by PFN

Bishop Oke referenced high-profile cases, including:

• The 2022 lynching of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State for alleged blasphemy, where perpetrators remain at large.
• The 2018 kidnapping of Leah Sharibu by Boko Haram, who refused release due to her faith; she remains captive.
• The 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction, with over 90 still missing, many Christians.
• Recent massacres in Dogon Noma (Plateau State) and Christmas Day attacks in Benue State, resulting in mass graves documented by international media.

These events illustrate PFN’s accusation of government indifference, as arrests and prosecutions have been limited despite public outcry.

Government Response and PFN Demands

The PFN criticizes federal inaction, calling for President Tinubu to restructure security forces. Bishop Oke emphasized, “The government must prove by action, not words, that it is not complicit.” The organization has submitted evidence over years but reports minimal follow-through, now amplifying calls alongside global voices like Trump’s.

Summary

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), led by Bishop Wale Oke, asserts an ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria through targeted killings, rapes, and displacements in states like Borno, Plateau, and Benue. At a Lagos emergency meeting, PFN demanded President Tinubu overhaul security, prosecute attackers in cases like Deborah Samuel and Leah Sharibu, and end perceived complicity. Vowing persistence, PFN aligns with international appeals to halt the violence.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For individuals, organizations, and policymakers addressing religious violence in Nigeria, practical steps can foster awareness and action. This section offers verifiable, actionable guidance grounded in advocacy best practices.

Advocacy for Victims

Support groups like Open Doors or Aid to the Church in Need by donating or volunteering. Write to Nigerian embassies or the UN Human Rights Council, citing specific incidents. Use social media with hashtags like #EndChristianGenocideNigeria to amplify verified reports.

Community Safety Measures

In affected areas, Christians can form vigilante patrols coordinated with police, install early-warning systems via apps like those from Global Peace Initiative, and engage interfaith dialogues. Farmers in Benue and Plateau should adopt conflict-resolution training from NGOs like the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Policy Engagement

Petition the National Assembly for stricter anti-kidnapping laws and security funding. International actors can pressure via sanctions on perpetrators, as per U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommendations.

Points of Caution

While highlighting Christian persecution in Nigeria, caution is essential to avoid escalation.

Risks of Inflammatory Rhetoric

Terms like “genocide” can polarize if not backed by evidence, potentially fueling reprisals. PFN’s approach balances truth-telling with calls for national peace.

Verification Imperative

Rely on sources like Amnesty International or Reuters for incident confirmation. Avoid unverified social media claims, which have spread misinformation in past crises.

Interfaith Harmony

Violence affects all Nigerians; promote initiatives like the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council to build bridges, reducing vigilante risks.

Comparison

Comparing Nigeria’s Christian genocide claims to global cases provides perspective.

Vs. Boko Haram Insurgency

Unlike Boko Haram’s ideological war (2009–present, 35,000+ deaths per Council on Foreign Relations), PFN focuses on state-wide patterns including herder-farmer clashes, which killed 2,000+ in 2023 (International Crisis Group).

Vs. Other Religious Persecutions

Similar to Uyghur internment in China or Rohingya genocide in Myanmar (ICC-prosecuted), Nigeria’s issues involve displacement (3.3 million IDPs, UNHCR). However, Nigeria’s federal structure allows regional responses, unlike centralized Myanmar.

Global Rankings

Nigeria tops Africa for faith-based killings (USCIRF 2024), contrasting South Africa’s relative stability.

Legal Implications

The PFN’s “genocide” label carries weight under international law. Nigeria ratified the 1948 Genocide Convention and Rome Statute (2001), obligating prevention. Domestic laws like the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 criminalize such acts, yet enforcement lags—only 20% conviction rate for blasphemy cases (Human Rights Watch 2023).

If proven, perpetrators could face ICC prosecution, as with Boko Haram referrals. U.S. sanctions under the International Religious Freedom Act have targeted Nigerian extremists. Victims can seek redress via the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, emphasizing state responsibility.

Conclusion

The PFN’s insistence on an ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria spotlights a humanitarian crisis demanding urgent reforms. Bishop Wale Oke’s call for President Tinubu to revamp security and deliver justice resonates amid verifiable atrocities. While challenges persist, collective action—domestic accountability, international pressure, and interfaith dialogue—offers a path to peace. Nigerians of all faiths deserve security; suppressing truth only prolongs suffering. Stay informed, advocate responsibly, and support verified efforts to end religious violence in Nigeria.

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