With countries like North Korea, Pakistan and Somalia topping the list as some of the world's worst persecutors of Christians, it's hard to imagine that none of these countries hold the highest Christian death toll. In 2012, that shameful distinction went to Nigeria where almost 70% of Christians killed globally were murdered. Because Nigeria's federal government has proven unable to protect Christians in northern Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a militant group from southern Nigeria, has pledged to protect Christians by attacking Muslims and Islamic institutions. The possibility of religious war, coupled with these overwhelming statistics makes Nigeria the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.
According to various report, over 900 Christian were killed in Nigeria in 2012 for no other reason than subscribing to the Christian faith. Many victims died at the hands of Islamic militants attached to the extremist group Boko Haram. To date, it is estimated that 128 people have been killed in 2013 so far, many of whom were Christians. These staggering figures were released within days of the second anniversary of one of the worst assaults on Christians in modern history, which coincidentally, also took place in Nigeria.
On the Brink of Religious War
Recent events have caused some analysts to wonder whether Nigeria is on the brink of a religious war. On April 16, MEND announced that it would start bombing mosques, assassinating clerics and destroying other Islamic institutions unless Boko Haram stops targeting Christians for its acts of terror.
Over the past three years, Boko Haram has terrorized Christians by bombing churches and murdering Christians in their own homes. It is estimated over 3,000 people have been killed in the Boko Haram conflict. MEND has called its new initiative to "protect Christians" in northern Nigeria with violence "Operation Barbarossa." MEND has also indicated it would call off its operation if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) asked it to. So far, CAN has remained silent.
Nigeria's federal government is attempting to head off this potential religious war by attempting to offer Boko Haram a total amnesty deal in exchange for peace in northern Nigeria. Boko Haram has responded by saying it will reject any amnesty deal offered because Boko Haram has done nothing it needs amnesty for. Read More
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