ECWA Church Raises Alarm, Says ‘Christian Genocide In Nigeria Is Real', Claims 600 Clerics Abducted

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has cautioned that the widespread attacks on Christians and churches across Nigeria constitute what it describes as a real and ongoing genocide, echoing remarks recently attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State, ECWA General Secretary, Dr. Ayuba Asheshe, said the church has compiled extensive records showing the devastating impact of years of violence on Christian communities, especially in parts of the Middle Belt and northern Nigeria.

According to Asheshe, the church’s data shows that 19,100 churches have been burnt or destroyed in the last 16 years, averaging about 1200 churches annually — three every day. 

He added that more than 600 clerics, including pastors and Catholic priests, have been abducted, with many never returning.

Between 2009 and 2023 alone, he said, an estimated 52,000 Christians were k!lled, 18,500 abducted, and over 20,000 churches and Christian communities attacked nationwide.

Asheshe further cited international monitoring groups, noting that Open Doors USA reported that Nigerians accounted for 82% of Christians k!lled globally between October 2022 and September 2023.

More than 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, their homes and worship centres destroyed.

He also referenced data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), which estimates that over 100,000 Christians have been k!lled in the last two decades. Within ECWA alone, he said, 208 members were abducted between 2023 and 2024, with several dying in captivity.

“Also, statistics by Open Doors USA showed that 82% of Christians k!lled worldwide between October 2022 and September 2023 were Nigerians, while over 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, their homes and churches burned to ashes.

“Reports by Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), more than 100,000 Christians have been k!lled in Nigeria over the past two decades."

While criticising years of inaction, the ECWA General Secretary acknowledged recent moves by the Nigerian government to strengthen national security and intensify coordinated operations against armed groups.

He said the church welcomes the renewed push for intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency collaboration, improved protection in rural hotspots, and efforts to facilitate the return of displaced persons.

“In light of this, ECWA welcomes thw Nigerian government’s very recent efforts in intensifying targeted operations against bandits, terrorists, and other insecurity proponents enhancing intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration planning intentionally to support the return of displaced persons to their communities, strengthening security presence in previously neglected hotspots and demonstrating greater political will in addressing long-standing grievances and root causes of insecurity, and exposing plus punishing sponsors of the dastardly act.”

Asheshe urged the government to sustain its momentum and ensure accountability for those funding or enabling attacks.