Pastor, Nine Other Christians Killed in Nigeria as Government Rejects U.S. Religious Freedom Designation

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ABUJA (Worthy News) – Nigeria’s government rejected on Wednesday its designation by the United States as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious freedom violations, saying the move was based on misinformation and faulty data — despite reports that Islamic fighters killed nine Christians and a pastor in the past week as part of a deadly campaign against Christians in the nation.

In Nigeria’s north-central Kaduna State, Fulani assailants on October 28 killed the Reverend Yahaya Kambasaya and kidnapped 20 members of his congregation during an attack on the predominantly Christian village of Farin Dutse in the Kauru area, church officials confirmed.

The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, said the pastor was serving under its Kauru District Church Council when gunmen stormed the village, shooting residents and burning homes.

The denomination’s president, Rev. Amos Kiri, described the killing as “callous, inhumane, and wicked,” explaining that Pastor Kambasaya was shot dead after emerging from hiding, believing the attackers had left.

HEKAN urged prayers for the release of the abducted congregants and for its members in the Kauru District, which has faced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months.

MORE KILLINGS IN PLATEAU STATE

In neighboring Plateau State, also located in north-central Nigeria, attackers killed nine more Christians between October 31 and November 3, Christian leaders said.

Community representatives reported that seven Christians were killed in Kwi village on October 31, one the following day, and another in Wereng village on November 3.

Local officials, including Riyom Council Chairman Sati Bature Shuwa, condemned the assaults as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” while residents accused authorities of ignoring early warnings.

Amid the violence, U.S. President Donald J. Trump last week reinstated Nigeria on Washington’s list of countries violating religious freedom and said he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible “fast” military action if Nigeria fails to halt the killings of Christians.

GOVERNMENT DEFENDS RECORD

The move further strained ties between the two nations, which have cooperated in counter-terrorism operations for years.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris said Trump’s warning was “unwarranted” and based on “faulty data,” stressing that Nigeria faces terrorism rather than religious persecution.

“The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the United States and other partners to eliminate terrorism on Nigerian soil,” Idris told reporters in Abuja, the capital.

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had made “significant progress,” claiming security forces have killed more than 13,500 militants, arrested 17,000 suspects, and rescued over 11,200 hostages since taking office in May 2023.

FAITH UNDER FIRE

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede added that extremists target both Muslims and Christians, emphasizing that security operations are ongoing nationwide.

However, despite these efforts, Nigeria — home to more than 200 ethnic groups and split roughly evenly between Christians and Muslims — remains one of the most dangerous places on earth for Christian believers, according to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List.

Of the 4,476 Christians killed globally for their faith during the latest reporting period, 3,100 — nearly 70 percent — were in Nigeria, Open Doors researchers said.

Christian leaders warn that without stronger protection and accountability, faith-based violence will continue to devastate communities across Africa’s most populous nation.

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