Dr. Ayuba Asheshe, the General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), has emphasized that there is irrefutable evidence supporting the existence of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
He expressed sorrow over the insecurity in the nation, which has resulted in the loss of 19,100 churches, the abduction of 600 clergymen, and the deaths of thousands of Christians in Nigeria.
During a briefing with journalists in Jos, Asheshe pointed out that documented records indicate that 1,200 churches are destroyed each year, averaging about 100 per month or three each day, culminating in a total of 19,100 churches over a span of 16 years.
He further noted that over 600 clerics, including 350 pastors and 250 Catholic priests, have been kidnapped across various regions of the country, with many losing their lives.
Additionally, the General Secretary mentioned that statistics from Open Doors USA reveal that 82% of Christians killed globally between October 2022 and September 2023 were Nigerians, while more than 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, with their homes and churches reduced to ashes.
According to reports from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), he stated that numerous Christians have been murdered in Nigeria over the last two decades, particularly within ECWA.
In ECWA alone, he reported that 208 members were kidnapped between 2023 and 2024, many of whom have died while in captivity.
He urged the government to take stronger action to combat the ongoing attacks, the destruction of churches, and the killings of Christians throughout the nation.
He praised the recent initiatives by the Federal Government aimed at enhancing the Nigerian security framework.
In his view, these measures, although still in the early phases, represent a positive shift towards safeguarding human life, ensuring justice, and restoring faith in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.