Boko Haram militants raided Christian communities in the northeastern part of Nigeria last week, displacing more than 1,500 people.

During the early morning raid in the villages of Shikarkir and Yirmirmug, the militants, aspiring to institute an Islamic caliphate, threatened Christians that if they refused to convert to Islam, they would face death. The militants killed eight Christians and destroyed 57 homes. A church known as Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa was ravaged, as well as food supplies, livelihood and livestock, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported.

It is the latest in a surge of attacks in Borno state, Nigeria, that has displaced some 4,000 people in total. Pastor Yarakawa Mutah, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Chibok, explained that Boko Haram militants, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, choose to target Christian communities.

“Even if there is a mosque, they don’t burn the mosque,” Mutah said. “They only burn Christian houses and churches.”

An unnamed source recalled the attack.

“The attackers burn down houses, food barns and whatever they find belonging to Christians, leaving those owned by Muslims,” the source told ICC.

Ibrahim Yana, a farmer, fled Shikarkir.

“We are living in fear,” Yana said. “They burned down our church and homes. Many of us have lost everything.”

Using violent insurgence, the militants’ brutality has increased since 2009. In 2014, the group gained the spotlight for abducting 275 schoolgirls in Chibok, sparking local and international outrage and fear.

Over the last two decades, tens of millions of Nigerians have been displaced, and over 60,000 Christians have been killed by the militants. Displaced Nigerians are often sent to refugee camps. Living in the camps’ conditions, women and children often fall prey to human trafficking and health issues.

Nigeria is the deadliest country to be Christian, according to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2024. The data report records that of the Christians killed for their faith in 2024, 82% of them were in Nigeria. More Christians are killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined. Yet, the Biden State Department in 2021 withdrew Nigeria from the Countries of Particular Concern list, a record of countries that severely infringe upon religious freedom.

In 2024 alone, 4,998 Christians were killed for their faith. Nigeria has the largest number of people abducted for faith reasons. Open Doors’ report records a total of 3,906 Christians abducted for their faith. More than 21,000 houses and properties of Christians were “attacked, damaged, bombed, looted, destroyed, burned down or confiscated,” and 278,716 Christians were forced to hide in country or leave their homes for faith-related reasons.

Drawings left on the wall of a disused hospital by Boko Haram militants include pictures of cars, tanks and weapons. Photo: Alamy