The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a systematic campaign of violence against Christians in Nigeria, while commending the Federal Government for recent efforts to tackle insecurity.
In a press briefing, ECWA General Secretary, Rev. (Dr.) Ayuba Asheshe, highlighted decades of targeted attacks on Christians, particularly in Northern Nigeria, the Middle Belt, and parts of Western Nigeria. According to the church, extremist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, Fulani militias, and Lakurawa have carried out large-scale killings, abductions, and destruction of churches with the intent to impose an Islamization agenda.
Documented evidence cited by ECWA includes reports from Intersociety, Open Doors USA, and ACLED, which together estimate that over 100,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria over the past two decades, with thousands more abducted and millions displaced. Within ECWA alone, 208 members were kidnapped between 2023 and 2024, with several fatalities reported.
Rev. Asheshe stressed that the violence is not random, but a coordinated effort aimed at annihilating Christian communities, seizing their lands, and economically weakening them. “Christian genocide in Nigeria cannot be dismissed as random or balanced attacks on Christians and Muslims,” he stated.
Despite these grave concerns, ECWA acknowledged the Federal Government’s recent initiatives to strengthen security, including targeted operations against bandits and terrorists, intelligence enhancement, and the promotion of displaced persons’ return to their communities. The church encouraged the government to maintain consistency, impartiality, and determination in these efforts.
ECWA also called on the international community, including the United Nations and African Union, to intervene urgently to halt the ongoing violence. The church reaffirmed its commitment to praying for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and prosperity, while standing ready to partner with government agencies in promoting justice and reconciliation.
“Every genuine step toward sustainable peace matters,” Rev. Asheshe concluded.
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If you want, I can also create a **shorter, punchy version suitable for online news platforms** that emphasizes the genocide claims and government praise. Do you want me to do that?