The escalating violence against Christians in Africa is a cause for concern.

More than half of Africa's 54 countries are facing a crisis in Christianity, with sources reporting that the faithful are being persecuted, killed, and displaced in 28 countries on the continent.

In 2023, Nigeria had the highest number of Christians killed for their faith, with nine out of 10 victims being Christian, according to research by Open Doors US. However, this number is likely higher due to the many unreported deaths.

"Nearly 82% of the 5,000 Christians killed worldwide for their faith in 2023 were in Nigeria, according to Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors US, who shared this information with Planet Chronicle Digital."

The Nigerian research group Intersociety, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, has labeled the killing of Nigeria's Christians as genocide and has raised the death toll to over 8,000 from January 2023 to the end of January 2024. Most of the victims were brutally murdered with knives. Intersociety also reports that over 18,500 places of Christian worship were destroyed across Nigeria from 2009-2023.

The slaughter is ongoing, according to Emeka Umeagbalasi of Intersociety, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

"According to Umeagbalasi, approximately 500-600 Christians are estimated to have been brutally murdered in Nigeria between January 2024 and the first week of April for simply identifying as Christians. These individuals were subjected to horrific acts of violence, including being hacked to death, raped, displaced, and having their homes and churches destroyed. In some cases, they were forced to convert to Islam under threat of death."

The increase in radical Islam in Africa has led to a rise in the targeting and persecution of Christians, according to Todd Nettleton, host of the Voice of the Martyrs Radio Network. He stated that these attacks come in various forms, from well-known groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Shabaab in Somalia, to less-known but equally violent groups in northern Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other nations.

"On the Open Doors’ US 2024 World Watch List, 28 African countries are listed, where Christians frequently experience persecution, harassment, and violence due to their belief in Christ."

Although a significant portion of the Nigerian population is Christian, many Nigerian Christians are still being forcibly displaced from their homes, with Open Doors US reporting that approximately 16.2 million of the 34.5 million displaced people in sub-Saharan Africa due to political instability, conflict, and extremism are Christians.

Fulani militant (Islamist) herdsmen are attacking Christian villages in Nigeria, kidnapping their people, burning their homes, and destroying their crops as they claim the land for themselves.

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is not a recent occurrence. When Maryamu Joseph was only seven years old, Boko Haram Muslim militants kidnapped her. Nine years later, she managed to escape and recounted her harrowing experience to the Aid to the Church In Need (ACN) agency. She stated, "I endured immense suffering at the hands of these cruel and merciless individuals. They treated us like animals, confining us in cages. The first thing they did was force us to convert to Islam. They changed my name to Aisha, a Muslim name, and threatened us not to pray as Christians or we would be killed."

In Kaduna State, Nigeria, Emmanuel Joseph, a Catholic teacher, observed a recent assault on a Catholic and a Baptist Church in Rubuh.

"As we entered the church compound, we heard gunfire and saw parishioners running in all directions. Suddenly, three members were shot and killed, and the attackers also targeted the local Baptist church, abducting 36 women and killing a man. Our only focus now is on survival, relying on God's protection as we believe He will defend us."

The archbishop of Nigeria's Kaduna State, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, stated that religious persecution in the north is a systemic issue. He explained, "Although I am unable to construct a church, the government funds and pays imams to teach in schools. Each year, they allocate money for mosque construction, but they refuse to allow church building."

Jihadists are imposing radical Islam on the population in parts of Burkina Faso, causing the country to become a no-go area for some, as reported by ACN.

""The terrorists instruct men to grow out their beards and women to wear the Islamic veil while gathering people and telling them not to go to school," he stated."

In Sudan, persecution of Christians has increased, according to Brown of Open Doors US.

"Brown stated that 165 churches have been closed, and others have been attacked and destroyed. He emphasized that those who oppose the Christian faith often use volatile situations as an opportunity to attack Christians. As we pray for an end to the violence, we remember the brave men and women who risk so much to protect their faith."

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has forced 8.2 million people to flee their homes, as per the latest data from the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Despite being a minority, Christians make up just 5% of the population in this war-torn country.

Eric Reeves, a researcher studying Sudan, told Planet Chronicle Digital that it is challenging to categorize the burning of churches in Sudan as a targeted attack against Christians when so many buildings of all types are being bombed.

"The long Christian presence in Sudan has been met with dislike, dating back to the Bashir regime and beyond, with church property being confiscated and Christian activities being restricted in various ways. However, the current situation in Sudan is too chaotic to make generalizations."

The Northern Cabo Delgado region in Mozambique has forced missionaries, priests, and Christians to flee.

Islamic insurgent groups have intensified their activities in the region, resulting in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, according to ACN.

Since the conflict began in 2017, more than 1 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes, according to the UNHCR.

This year, at least 12 Mozambican communities have been affected by attacks, destruction, and burning of chapels by groups linked to Islamic State.

"The Bishop of Pemba in Northern Mozambique, António Juliasse, stated to ACN that the people in his region only carry what they can in a bundle on their heads or on a family bicycle. He emphasized that their greatest risk is to become forgotten faces, overshadowed by other conflicts happening globally."

The State Department spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle that officials are concerned about the global increase in persecution, particularly against Christians. They expressed grave concern over the growing reports of intolerance and harassment against Christians worldwide. No one should have to fear for their safety or the safety of their religious institutions.

In every world region, individuals affiliated with Christian communities, or those seeking to join, encounter restrictions on their freedom of religion or belief. These individuals have also been frequently subjected to terrorist and violent attacks by mobs and extremists, including in Africa.

"The Department of State frequently communicates with governments to promote enhancements to religious freedom, specifically addressing violations affecting Christians. We consistently address these concerns and include them in our annual International Religious Freedom report. The US government and the Office of International Religious Freedom utilize this information to drive advocacy efforts throughout the year and beyond."

Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he desires to see increased action.

"Our government and other free-world governments should highlight and condemn those who target and mistreat religious minorities, whether they are governments or terrorist groups. While the State Department's annual list of Countries of Particular Concern is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to bring attention to the plight of religious minorities facing violent attacks in Africa and other regions."

"Government interactions with other nations should prioritize religious freedom, even if it means potentially offending foreign governments with whom we may want to engage in profitable trade or other agreements."

Brown of Open Doors US advised Planet Chronicle Digital that the U.S. government should advocate for the Nigerian government to put an end to impunity. For too long, extremists and groups such as Fulani militants have perpetrated violence against Christians and various ethnic groups without accountability. It is crucial to urge the Nigerian government to take a strong stance against these perpetrators and break the cycle of violence that continues to expand throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

"The U.S. government should take a firm and public position on these attacks and the resulting insecurity."

In Burkina Faso, Bishop Kientega declares that Christians are ready to die for their beliefs instead of being compelled to convert to Islam.

"Kientega stated that many of them accept the possibility of death, yet they refuse to remove their crosses and convert. Instead, they find alternative ways to live their faith and pray."

The Nigerian presidency, Foreign Ministry, U.S. Embassy, and Police Force were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment but no response was received.