The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), a member of the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), launched a new report this past week that brings overwhelming evidence regarding the religious persecution and genocide that has been occurring in Nigeria over the last 20 years. The report includes recent testimonies of some of the more than 60,000 victims in Nigeria, including statements from witnesses who have been targeted specifically for their Christian faith, among a comprehensive collection of other data and statistics.
Entitled “Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Ni geria and the Implications for the International Community,” ICON co-founder Kyle Abts stated that the report, brings “firsthand accounts of the ongoing religious persecution and genocide are shocking and cannot be tolerated. While the country’s own government has failed to stop the violence, Nigeria has been transformed into an epicenter of terrorist activities and a ticking time bomb. This report shows us that action is needed now and intervention by the United States is critical.”
Using data from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2020, the ICON report exposes how one of the world’s deadliest terrorist groups, Boko Haram, has killed more than 43,000 Nigerians, the vast majority women and children. Additionally, it raises awareness of the continuing onslaught by Fulani Militants, who have killed nearly 19,000 Nigerians, primarily Christian farmers. Based on data collected, between 2000-2019, deaths resulting from Fulani Militant attacks include 17,284 across the country, 13,079 in predominantly Christian states (Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, and Taraba). That means three of every four Fulani Militant victims during this time were Christians.
The data report was researched and produced by the collaborative efforts of ICON and the International Organization on Peace-building and Social Justice (PSJ), also a member of the RLP.
For a copy of the online report, click here.