The World's Deafening Silence on Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Christians ar being brutally murdered while the media and State Department turn a blind eye

In the corridors of power and the studios of the mainstream media, a convenient silence prevails over one of the most harrowing stories of our time.

Nigeria, a land stained with the blood of innocents, witnesses a relentless campaign of terror against Christians, a saga of suffering blatantly ignored by those who claim to be the global vanguards of human rights.

The International Christian Concern's 2023 report on Christian persecution starkly labels Nigeria as the most dangerous place in the world for Christians.

The figures are chilling: in a span of just 128 days, 549 Christians brutally murdered. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a screaming testament to a genocidal campaign that is sweeping Nigeria under the rug of global consciousness.

Yet, where is the outrage? Where are the headlines?

The same media that leaps at every opportunity to champion the cause of the oppressed somehow finds this story unworthy of their front pages.

Is it because the victims are Christians? Or is it because acknowledging this horror doesn’t fit neatly into their curated narrative of what constitutes a human rights violation?

The U.S. State Department, in a move that can only be described as baffling, removed Nigeria from its list of Countries of Particular Concern in 2021. This act is not just a failure of policy; it's a glaring display of moral bankruptcy.

By this exclusion, the U.S. essentially signals a green light to the perpetrators of these atrocities, emboldening them to continue their campaign of terror.

But let's be clear: this isn't just about policy or politics. It's about a systematic extermination of a community solely because of their faith. Every day, Christian men, women, and children in Nigeria wake up to a reality where their faith could mean their death sentence.

Churches are not sanctuaries but targets. Prayers are mingled with the fear of being the next victim of a bombing or a brutal attack.

The Nigerian government’s response?

Apathetic at best, complicit at worst. They continue to paint this crisis as a mere regional conflict, a gross understatement that only serves to mask the religious motivations of these attacks.

By refusing to acknowledge the religious undertones of this violence, they not only insult the victims but also enable the perpetrators.

This isn't just a Nigerian problem; it's a stain on the conscience of humanity.

The international community, led by institutions like the United Nations and powers like the United States, must wake up to this crisis. It’s high time to reinstate Nigeria on the list of Countries of Particular Concern and to take concrete actions to end this brutality.

As we turn our backs on these victims, we must ask ourselves: what value do we place on human life and religious freedom? Are we so ensnared in political correctness and diplomatic niceties that we are willing to let innocent lives be sacrificed at the altar of expediency?

The silence is deafening, the inaction inexcusable. It's time to give voice to the voiceless, to stand up for those who are being persecuted simply for their faith.

Nigeria's Christians are crying out for help. The world must listen, and more importantly, act.

Martin Mawyer is president of the Christian Action Network, which he founded in 1990. Located in Lynchburg, VA, CAN was formed as a non-profit educational organization to protect America’s religious and moral heritage. He is the author of several books, including You Are Chosen: Prepare to Triumph in a Fallen World.