A disturbing trend continues

If you think religious persecution is something that happens “over there” in the dusty corners of history, think again. Right now—in 2025—Christians across sub-Saharan Africa are being slaughtered in numbers that should make headlines daily. Instead, the story barely blips on Western radars, and the political response is a collective shrug.

The epicenter of this nightmare is Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and its economic powerhouse. Over the past decade, Islamist extremists in Nigeria’s north and central belts have murdered more Christians than in the entire Middle East combined. That’s not a typo. The body count is staggering: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) says 52,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, along with 34,000 Muslims who resisted extremist ideology.

The Brutality Up Close

The recent atrocities aren’t abstract. Over Christmas, more than 20 believers—Catholics and Protestants—were beheaded. Among them: a bride and her bridesmaids ambushed on the way to prepare for her wedding. Weeks later, ISIS’s Nigerian affiliate forced a pastor, Rev. Lawan Andimi, to beg for his life on camera before executing him. His killer? A former congregant, abducted, brainwashed, and forced into the role.

And let’s not forget Leah Sharibu—abducted at 14, enslaved because she refused to renounce her faith, and now reportedly a mother in captivity. Meanwhile, extremists stormed the farming village of Yelwata this summer, killing over 200 people and chanting “Allahu Akbar.” Nearly all the victims were women and children.

Beyond Nigeria

The violence isn’t limited to one country. In Burkina Faso, priests, pastors, and entire congregations have been wiped out, with over 600,000 now displaced. In Mali, extremists erased a Christian village—literally no survivors. In Mozambique, bishops warn of a “cyclone” of extremist violence. And in Congo, 43 Catholics were massacred during a Saturday night service.

Washington’s Tepid Response

Here’s the U.S. response: not much. Rep. Smith has called for sanctions on Nigeria. But when asked about it, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a familiar Washington two-step:

“I know the president wholeheartedly condemns the persecution of Christians, or frankly, of people of any faith all over the world. But I don’t have any updates for you in terms of sanctions in this part of the world,” she said on July 31.

Translation: yes, it’s bad, but no, don’t expect action.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The nonprofit Open Doors, which tracks global persecution, makes it clear: more Christians are killed in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined. Their World Watch List 2025 reports 4,476 Christians murdered worldwide last year—3,100 of them in Nigeria. The broader toll? 16.2 million displaced Christians across sub-Saharan Africa, their homes torched, churches burned, and communities erased.

The Big Picture

This isn’t just sectarian conflict—it’s a systematic campaign to dismantle civil society. Teachers, priests, and aid workers are being targeted because without them, communities collapse faster. For the extremists, that’s the point.

So, why the silence? Because it’s easier. Western governments don’t want to alienate Nigeria, a key economic and security partner. Media outlets glaze over it because the story is complex and ongoing. And global audiences? They scroll past, numb to another headline about violence in Africa.

But make no mistake: this is a war on faith itself. For millions, simply walking into a church on Sunday is an act of defiance. And unless the global community decides these lives matter as much as those in more geopolitically convenient regions, the massacre will continue—and history will note our silence.