London, 4 November 2025
For almost a decade, terrorism has continually risen across Northern Nigeria. From Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, to violent militancy in the North-West and targeted attacks in the North-Central (Middle Belt) region, Nigeria’s insecurity crisis has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions (UN office)
PSJUK has consistently called on both the Nigerian Government and the international community to Stop the Killings and bring justice to the victims of terrorism and persecution. We have long documented the deliberate targeting of Christian communities in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria, where villages have been razed, families massacred, and survivors forced to flee their ancestral homes. Nigeria is now one of the countries with the highest number of Christians facing persecution in the world (Open Doors World Watchlist)
PSJUK has been part of multiple missions supported by the UK’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, witnessing first-hand the destruction of entire communities, mass graves, and deeply traumatised survivors now living in displacement camps. Victims’ testimonies consistently point to a systemic pattern: predominantly Christian villages wiped out while neighbouring villages remain untouched, often accompanied by religious declarations from the attackers themselves.
We recognise that sadly, Nigeria’s security crisis affects people of all faiths and backgrounds - Muslims in the North-East, communities in the South-East, and many others have also suffered under the scourge of terrorism and banditry. However, acknowledging this wider suffering does not negate the fact that religious-motivated persecution remains a critical and identifiable dimension of Nigeria’s overall insecurity woes.
Recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action in Nigeria has ignited global debate about international intervention. While PSJUK understands the Nigerian public’s concern about sovereignty and fears of foreign exploitation, we must confront a hard truth: there is already an invasion in Northern Nigeria - an invasion by Islamist terrorists.
The victims are crying and people are dying. The international community must not remain silent.
PSJUK urges the Nigerian Government to seize this moment of international attention to seek coordinated, lawful, and transparent cooperation with global partners in eradicating terrorism and rebuilding trust among its citizens. True partnership, grounded in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and human rights, can bring an end to the reign of terror that has crippled communities for far too long.
We call on world leaders to work with Nigeria to help protect civilians, support counter-terrorism that upholds justice, and ensure aid and security cooperation benefit the victims rather than deepen division.
Nigeria is the most populous African nation - This is not a Nigeria Problem, this is a Problem that will ultimately affect the entire World.
For media enquiries:
Press Office, PSJUK
[email protected]| www.psjuk.org.uk
