The General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Dr Ayuba Asheshe, has raised concerns over what he described as sustained attacks on Christians in Nigeria, citing figures that point to widespread killings, abductions and destruction of churches.
Asheshe made the remarks while briefing journalists in Jos, where he said documented records show that insecurity across the country has led to the destruction of about 19,100 churches over the past 16 years.
According to him, an estimated 1,200 churches are attacked annually—roughly 100 every month—while more than 600 clergymen, including about 350 pastors and 250 Catholic priests, have been abducted, with many reportedly killed.
He also cited statistics from Open Doors USA indicating that Nigerians accounted for about 82 per cent of Christians killed globally between October 2022 and September 2023. He added that more than 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, with homes and churches destroyed.
Asheshe further referenced reports by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), which he said documented widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria over the past two decades, including within ECWA communities.
He disclosed that within ECWA alone, 208 members were abducted between 2023 and 2024, noting that several died while in captivity.
The ECWA general secretary urged the government to intensify efforts to curb attacks, protect places of worship, and address the broader security challenges confronting the country.
While acknowledging recent steps by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, Asheshe said the measures, though still at an early stage, signal a positive shift toward safeguarding lives and restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
