Archbishop Ugorji, Crotty, others decry persecution of Christians in Nigeria
The Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, has said that the persistent persecution of Christians remains a fiercely debated issue in Nigeria, rooted in a volatile mix of religious, ethnic and economic factors.
The Archbishop made the assertion in his address at the 18th annual conference of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, APKMN.
He maintained that the persecution of Christians, which he said was also described as Christian genocide, was one of the most discussed issues in Nigeria.
Ugorji pointed out that international observers, human rights organisations, religious leaders and government officials offered sharply contrasting perspectives on whether the escalating violence in the country constituted targeted persecution of Christians or was a product of a collapsing national security apparatus.
He recalled that on October 13, 2025, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, over recurring incidents of persecution of Christians.
He said the designation was made under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, citing perceived egregious violations of religious freedom and frequently targeted attacks on Christian populations.
Organisations such as Open Doors and International Christian Concern, ICC, have repeatedly classified Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian.
"Underpinning this perspective are the frequent deadly assaults on Christian towns and villages, churches and schools, particularly in the Middle Belt region and northern states, by heavily armed persons, leading to mass kidnappings of Christians, including priests, for huge ransoms, as well as the maiming and slaughtering of thousands in cold blood, the uprooting of vast Christian populations from their ancestral lands and sources of livelihood," he said.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri added that the plight of millions of displaced persons in IDP camps and the disruption of the education of thousands of children in affected areas were compounded by the denial of permits for the construction of churches by governments in some northern states.
He maintained that the demolition of churches by urban planning authorities in parts of Zamfara State for what he described as flawed reasons, as well as the use of provisions of Sharia law to discriminate against, harass, attack and penalise Christians, were also concerns.
He questioned such practices despite claims that Sharia law applied exclusively to Muslims and the fact that religious freedom and the secularity of Nigeria were values enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ugorji, while maintaining that humans, created in the image of God, had inherent dignity and inalienable rights, including the right to life, ownership of property and freedom of religion, urged Christian communities across the federation to embark on incessant prayers for the restoration of peace in the country.
In his address, the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, said that Christians had historically faced persecution in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country.
He added that Christians should respond to the situation through democratic engagement, particularly as the nation prepares for another electoral exercise.
The Papal Nuncio maintained that ending the persecution of Christians in the country was imperative.
Earlier, the National President of the association, Steve Adehi, while appreciating the presence of archbishops, bishops and other dignitaries at the event, said the theme of the year's anniversary, "Papal Knights and Strategic Engagement in Addressing Christian Persecution in Nigeria", reflected the realities facing Christians in the country.
He said the choice of the theme showed that APKMN was alive to its responsibilities regarding the welfare of the Church.
He also appealed to the Papal Nuncio to approve the recruitment of new members to increase the association's membership, pledging that it would continue to serve the Church with humility.
In their respective speeches, the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, and the National Chaplain of the association, Rev. Fr. Michael Adegbola, said the time for politics and pretence over Christian persecution was over.
They asserted that the Church was tired of what they described as the government's policy of building new IDP camps instead of devising means of ensuring that displaced persons were returned to their original homes.
Archbishop Ugorji, Crotty, others decry persecution of Christians in Nigeria