Expressing concern, the rights group known as the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has brought attention to the potential demise of Christianity and freedom of worship in Nigeria.
According to the group’s claims, more than 8,200 defenseless Christians were brutally killed within a 13-month period from January 2023 to January 2024, with over 8,000 others reported as abducted during the same timeframe.
This alarming information was conveyed in a statement made public by the organization and shared with NewsNow recently.
Signed by prominent figures including Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair of Intersociety, the statement also highlighted the grave concern that Christianity, Jewish, and Traditional Religions face the risk of disappearing in Nigeria within the next 50 years.
Furthermore, the group raised issues concerning the authenticity of faith leaders, stating that a significant number of them have deviated from the core principles of their religions for personal gains, thereby endangering the faith of their followers.
Intersociety decried the escalating violence against individuals practicing different religions in Nigeria, citing a substantial number of deaths and abductions within the Christian and Muslim communities, as well as other faith groups.
The alarming statistics presented by the organization include the destruction of numerous places of worship, schools, and sacred sites, painting a grim picture of the state of religious freedom in the country.
Regions like Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna were noted as being particularly affected, with a consistent pattern of violence leading to significant casualties among Christians in those areas.
The statement by Intersociety serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the escalating religious conflict and violence in Nigeria before irreparable damage is done to the fabric of its society.