Asheshe said insecurity has led to the destruction of about 19,100 churches, the abduction of over 600 clergymen and the killing of thousands of Christians nationwide.
By Titilope Adako
The General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Dr Ayuba Asheshe, has said there is overwhelming evidence that Christian genocide is real in Nigeria, citing widespread killings, abductions and destruction of churches across the country.
Asheshe said insecurity has led to the destruction of about 19,100 churches, the abduction of over 600 clergymen and the killing of thousands of Christians nationwide.
Speaking to journalists in Jos, he said documented records showed that an average of 1,200 churches are attacked yearly, translating to about 100 churches every month or three daily, adding up to 19,100 churches destroyed over the past 16 years.
He added that more than 600 clerics, including about 350 pastors and 250 Catholic priests, have been abducted in different parts of the country, noting that many of them were later killed.
According to him, statistics from Open Doors USA revealed that 82 per cent of Christians killed globally between October 2022 and September 2023 were Nigerians.
He also said the data showed that over 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, with their homes and churches burnt to ashes.
Asheshe further cited reports by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, ACLED, which he said confirmed that large numbers of Christians have been killed in Nigeria over the past two decades, including members of ECWA.
He disclosed that within ECWA alone, 208 members were abducted between 2023 and 2024, adding that several of them lost their lives while in captivity.
The ECWA General Secretary appealed to the government to intensify efforts to stop the continuous attacks, burning of churches and killing of Christians across the country.
He, however, commended recent steps taken by the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Asheshe said although the measures were still at an early stage, they showed a positive shift towards protecting human life, promoting justice and restoring public confidence in the ability of the state to defend its citizens.
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