A new report from Global Christian Relief found an alarming rise in Christian persecution. The data was recorded in a press release titled The Red List and was complied from the Violent Incidents Database maintained by GCR, a U.S.-based nonprofit monitoring Christian persecution worldwide. The report found that thousands had died at the hands of Boko Haram and other Islamic extremist group.
The Red List found that 9,814 Christians were killed. The GCR started the report with a prayer that reads, God, our hearts go out to the family members of those who have been senselessly killed.” They continued to ask “Cause Nigeria’s politicians to enact policies that will protect believers from religious extremism, … Stop the bloodshed and bring peace to the land. Amen.”
The GCR designed the Red List as the “first-ever quantifiable and verifiable index exposing the top offenders of Christian persecution worldwide.” They called attention to the 25 worst countries for Christian persecution. They specifically tracked killings, building attacks, arrests, displacements, and abductions and assaults. Nigeria took the top spot in multiple categories.
The report stated, “Most of the killings are concentrated in the northern ‘sharia’ states, where Christians often live in remote villages in semi-arid landscapes, making them particularly vulnerable to attacks.” They continued “Despite government assurances that they will defeat the extremists, the violence continues to escalate. Nigeria’s grim statistics are unmatched.”
Boko Haram is the main offender, but Armed Fulani herdsmen and the Islamic State also target Christians. Nigeria was the worst nation by far for abductions and assaults. In the last two years, 9,311 have taken place. The abductions are often used to extort ransom. Pastors are frequent targets because a congregation can raise a large amount of money for their release.
GCR called the kidnapping victims in Nigeria for ransom as a “terrible industry.” The report suggests this is evidence of “a clear and systemic attack designed to funnel money and women away from Christian communities.” According to this report, Nigeria beats out other nations “by the thousands.” The report warns that Christian persecution has grown globally since 2014, driven by Islamic extremism, Hindu nationalism, authoritarian regimes, and government corruption.
Brian Orme, the acting chief executive of Global Christian Relief, said in a statement “Working closely with our partners on the ground in these high-risk areas, we provide emergency aid, safe houses, and trauma counseling to Christians facing violent persecution.” He added, “Despite the intense challenges in places like Nigeria, China, and India, we continue to see remarkable resilience in these communities.”
He concluded by saying ” Even in the darkest circumstances, the Church not only survives but grows stronger—millions are choosing to follow Jesus despite knowing the risks they face.” The GCR report recommended that the United States and the secretary of state designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” While Trump designated Nigeria under this label in 2020, Biden shortly went back on that decision. The GCR recommended, “In concert with this designation, the United States should apply targeted sanctions on Nigerian officials responsible for allowing the mass killing of Christians.”