Christians reportedly killed in Nigeria amid continued violence

At least seven Christians were killed Oct. 26 in southern Jos, Nigeria, hours after a video circulated online showing a “Muslim youth parade” chanting about attacking Christians.

The killings were reported in an X post by Masara Kim, a Jos-based conflict reporter and senior editor at TruthNigeria, who said the group in the video chanted, “give me AK47 to go into the infidels in Enugu, Jos, and rain fire on them while they worship.”

The reported violence in Nigeria follows separate attacks on Christians in Jordan and Ethiopia that prompted Bishop Robert Barron to speak out about persecution.

In an Oct. 26 X post, Bishop Barron pointed to the Oct. 23 killing of nine people at a church funeral in Jordan and an attack the following day on Orthodox churches and homes in Ethiopia, where he said more than 40 people were killed.

Bishop Barron called on Christians to recognize the victims as their brothers and sisters in Christ.

“These are not statistics,” Bishop Barron said. “They are our brothers and sisters, members of the mystical Body of Christ. When Saul set out to destroy the Church, the risen Jesus asked him, ‘Why are you persecuting me?’ The Lord is still being persecuted in these victims of anti-Christian violence.”

The reported killings come amid continued concern over violence in Nigeria, where Catholic clergy and communities have faced deadly attacks and abductions. Among those killed in recent months was Father Samuel Oyetoro, who died after a roadside ambush in Kogi State in July.

As Zeale News previously reported, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, archbishop emeritus of Abuja, said President Bola Tinubu had rejected concerns about insecurity and hardship raised by the bishops during a July meeting.

“Nigeria is bleeding,” the cardinal said.

In his X post, Bishop Barron called on the faithful to respond through prayer and action. 

“Christianity is by far the most persecuted religion in the world today. Those of us who worship in comfort have to ask what the deaths of these martyrs demand of us. At the very least, they demand that we pray for them, learn their names, press our leaders to act, and refuse to look away.”