Nigeria Appeal
Nigeria Appeal
Northern Nigeria - where even your Christian name makes you a target.
"We live in a society where being a Christian is a crime. My name betrays me because everyone knows it is a Christian name.”
An escalation of indescribable levels
Early this year we announced Nigeria as ACN (UK)'s project country for the year, one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. The quote from Catechist Tobias Yahaya paints a very real, and very disturbing picture of Christian life in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 12 incidents of kidnappings against priests, Sisters and catechists and alarming of violence at levels to all members of the Church - bishops, priests, Sisters, seminarians, catechists, men, women and children.
This is the terrifying reality for Christians who make up 46% of the countries population. Over the past decade, Christians in Nigeria have been targeted for significant violence, primarily from Islamist extremist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants.
It's a tragic situation, but the resilience of those that continue to practice their faith despite the dangers they face is a truly inspiring. Despite their Faith, they still suffer and we need your support those in greatest need.
The Situation in Nigeria
The findings of our 'Religious Freedom in the World' report
Reports, case studies, contacts on the ground, and news out of Nigeria point a hard hitting and difficult truth our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria are in.
- 17,500 churches has been the targets of attacks including criminal damage and arson.
- 2,000 Christian schools in Nigeria have been destroyed leaving many young children out of education.
- Over 3,000,000 people have been internally displaced across Nigeria's Middle Belt in just 12 years.
- 89% of Christians martyred worldwide in 2023 were from Nigeria.
The report also highlights that such suffering and persecution happens around major feast days during times of celebration, and worship including Christmas and Easter which is why your help this Lent is so important.
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Last Christmas, 47 Christians were killed and 6,800 displaced due to the attacks at the hands of extremists.
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On Christmas Eve 2023, more than 300 people were murdered and hundreds murdered on coordinated attacks on over 30 villages.
Your donation today can support the projects in Nigeria helping the Christian communities affected, click here to donate to our Nigeria appeal now.
What is ACN doing to help?
Throughout Nigeria, ACN is working with Church partners on the ground to provide the help to those that need it, not just in aid but in long term programs and pastoral support.
From the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus distributing aid to internally displaced persons, to the priests like Fr Gabriel undertaking studies to help those that are dealing with psychological and mental trauma, ACN is working to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Christ have access to the care that they are so desperately in need of receiving.
- Emergency aid for almost 500 Christian families forced to flee their homes in Benue State.
- Support to Sisters in Anambra State, who provide food every week for 400 people fleeing violence.
- Scholarships to ensure education for Christian children who have been forced to flee their homes.
- Training for priests in trauma counselling and in conducting interfaith dialogue.
The Lenten Season, we ask that you pray for God to protect them from harm – and to support them by helping to provide access to aid, support systems, education and enable them to continue to express and live out their faith. Your support can change the lives of many Christians in Nigeria for the better as it is only with your support and love that ACN is able to help them. May God bless you.
