As Nigeria marks another independence anniversary, a critical question remains: why does the ongoing persecution of Christians in the north go unspoken?
The nation waves its green and white flag, but millions of Christians live in fear. In the northern states, jihadist groups and bandits have turned villages into graveyards. They have reduced schools to empty shells and churches to ashes. Children hear not laughter but the trauma of violence. It is estimated that over 15 million people have been displaced by these attacks. Many of them are women and children.
Christianity is built on Jesus Christ, and its heartbeat is love. Yet love meets hate, and faith faces fire. Even so, discussions about Nigeria’s independence often drown out the suffering of those whose only crime is confessing Jesus as Lord.
A government response is needed, but so too is the voice of the Church. Revival, fasting, and prayer can break chains that politics alone cannot. As Scripture says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We must rise in prayer for protection, healing, and justice.
Some organizations are quietly doing the hard work of providing aid, shelter, and hope for victims. One such group is Across Nigeria, which is helping displaced families rebuild their lives. Please consider supporting their mission — even a small gift can bring food, shelter, and the love of Christ to those who have lost everything.
The reality cannot be ignored. Places like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Borno have become epicenters of attacks, with countless villages destroyed.
And yet, this crisis is hardly making headlines. Why? Perhaps it is easier to celebrate independence than to confront the painful truth that millions of our fellow citizens are not free at all.
As we mark Nigeria’s independence, let us remember those who cannot celebrate because they are mourning. Let us pray, fast, and act. And let us lift our voices for the voiceless, until love overcomes hate and peace replaces fear.
