Research report released has revealed that no fewer than 1,470 Christians lost their lives among 2,200 Christians out of a total 3,200 defenseless Nigerians abducted by Boko Haram (Jihadists) and Killer Herdsmen in the first quarter of 2021.
The research also affirmed that the 1, 470 Christian deaths in four months is the highest number recorded since 2014 and it specifically surpassed the total number of Christians killed in the whole of 2019, estimated by the Open Doors to be 1,350.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) which made the assertions with statistical backups, maintained that Nigeria has devastatingly remained the “most Christian killed country” and “most dangerous place to be a Christian” as well as Africa’s newest hotbed of Islamic Jihad and religious intolerance.
The research report findings was made available in a statement jointly signed by InterSoceity Principal Officers: Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chidimma Udegbunam, Esq., Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., and Ndidiamaka Bernard, Esq.
It is recalled that the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law had in early January 2021 statistically disclosed that more than 2,400 defenseless Christians were hacked to death by jihadists in Nigeria in 2020.
But in the World Watch List report on Christians released by USA based Open Doors; the group found that “3,530 Christians were killed in Nigeria between Nov 2019 and Oct 2020”.
InterSoceity said in other words, it is most likely correct to say that ‘between 2,401 and 3,530 Christians were hacked to death by jihadists in 2020 in Nigeria’.
Intersociety explained that its latest research investigation conducted
took weeks and cut across all the troubling Christian areas of the country with “Kaduna recording the highest number of 300 Christian deaths out of estimated total of 430 killings, followed by Benue with 200 Christian deaths, Plateau 90 Christian deaths, Igbo Land States of Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra, etc 80 Christian deaths, Christian part of Niger States (i.e. Shiroro, Munya and Rafi, etc) 70 deaths, Taraba/Adamawa 65 deaths, Ogun/Ondo 52 Christian deaths, Kebbi 50 Christian deaths (out of over 60 killed), Borno 50 Christian deaths (out of over 110 killed), Nasarawa 30 Christian deaths, Igbo part of Delta 20 Christian deaths, Edo 20 Christian deaths, non Igbo part of Delta 10 Christian deaths, Oyo/Ekiti/Osun 30 Christian deaths, Gombe 20 Christian deaths, Christian part of Geidam in Yobe State 15 deaths (out of total killings) and Kogi State 10 Christian deaths.
“Nine Igbo Christians were also killed in Kibiya District of Kano State. There are also likely dozens of other Christian deaths, numbering over 30 not recorded. The Northern Muslim controlled Nigerian Army also accounted for killing of at least 120 defenseless Christians from Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi.
“The research investigation further projected from interviews and open source reports that 220 Christians are most likely to have died or been killed in captivity of their abductors.
“This represents 10% of 2,200 abducted Christians across the country especially Christian travelers and rural others among them are male and young female farmers including those abducted and raped to death or killed after being raped.
“The totality of the above brings the number of defenseless Christians killed in Nigeria from Jan to April 2021 to 1,470; out of which Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen accounted for more than 800 Christians.”
The InterSoceity observed that the research found that killings by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen are concentrated in Southern Kaduna (jointly perpetrated with Fulani Bandits), Plateau, Benue, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Southwest States, Kogi and Nasarawa.
Also, it said killings by Boko Haram and Fulani Bandits are majorly witnessed in Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Gombe, Niger and FCT while killings by ISWAP and Ansaru are concentrated in Borno, Adamawa and Taraba States.
“In the area of the 2200 abducted Christians, the breakdown indicates that Kaduna recorded the highest number with 800 abductions out of estimated total of 1,100 abductions.
“Out of the 800 abducted Christians in the State, indigenous Christians of the State accounted for 600 including those abducted in Muslim held areas of Birnin-Gwari, Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas.
“The abducted Christian travelers who are not indigenes of the State also accounted for about 200 and among them are dozens of Igbo Christians resident in Northern Nigeria especially those traveling from the North to the South or Niger State and the FCT.
“Niger State, on its own part, recorded the second largest Christian abductees with 300 out of total of 450-500 abductions; followed by Adamawa/Taraba with 100 abductees, Borno with 50 abductees (out of not less than 130 abducted), Nasarawa with 40 abductees, Oyo/Ekiti/Osun with 40 abductees, FCT 30 abductees, Kogi 20 abductees, Ogun/Ondo 15 abductees and at least 205 others abducted by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Yobe, Delta, Edo, etc.
“Added were 500 abducted Southeast indigenous Judeo-Christians secretly being held without trial since January 2021 by Nigerian Army, SSS, Police and Navy.”
