The Anglican Bishop of Owo Diocese, Stephen Ayodeji A. Fagbemi, today suggested that the wave of church attacks and killings, particularly in the middle belt and northern regions, supports concerns that Christians are being deliberately targeted.
Speaking during an exclusive appearance on Frontline, a public and current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese‑Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Fagbemi said evidence of repeated attacks on worship centres and Christian communities cannot be ignored and must be honestly examined.
Recall that in October 2025, the United States officially designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing “severe violations of religious freedom” and systematic violence against religious communities, particularly Christians. The designation followed warnings from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom that Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity and religious violence were not being adequately addressed by authorities in Abuja.
International Spotlight on Religious Violence
“Over the years, the violence against Christians, including attacks on churches, kidnappings, and killings, has drawn the attention of international bodies because the pattern is consistent,” Bishop Fagbemi said. “This is not a series of isolated incidents. When places of worship, pastors, and congregations are attacked repeatedly, it raises serious questions about motives, choices of targets, and the inability of authorities to protect communities.”
He continued, “When international partners like the United States designate our country as a place of particular concern over religious freedom, it is not a trivial matter. It reflects documented trends and testimonies from victims, their families, and observers on the ground.”
The Owo Experience and Broader Context
Bishop Fagbemi then turned to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church Owo which left dozens dead and wounded.
“It was Pentecost Sunday, and our hearts will never forget the screams and the terror that day,” he recalled. “We were only about 400 metres away, yet the sounds of violence reached us clearly. People were calling loved ones, fleeing, hiding, crying for help — a community in shock.”
He said the psychological impact of the assault on his diocese and neighboring communities remains profound. “Many worshippers still fear attending church. Some families rebuilt their lives only superficially because the wounds run deep. These are real people affected in real places, and this is part of why international observers have raised concerns.”
Why the CPC Designation Matters
Bishop Fagbemi explained that the CPC designation is intended to prompt serious policy review and action.
“Designation as a Country of Particular Concern is not a casual label. It means that the violations of religious freedom in our nation were considered severe, ongoing, and inadequately addressed,” he said. “It calls for accountability measures and for the responsible governments to act decisively to protect their citizens regardless of religion.”
He added, “If reputable bodies examining data, witness accounts, and patterns conclude that attackers frequently go unpunished, then that reality whether labelled persecution or insecurity must be taken seriously.”
Pattern of Targeted Violence
Drawing on regional examples, he said, “In parts of the middle belt and the north, communities have experienced recurring raids on villages, attacks on churches, and widespread abductions. These incidents often leave entire families displaced, properties destroyed, and worship disrupted.”
“It is not just about statistics,” he stressed. “It is about understanding that millions of Nigerians; Christians and non‑Christians live with fear because violent extremists operate with relative impunity in some areas.”
Not a Religious Argument Alone
Despite his support for examining the CPC designation, Fagbemi emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria is multifaceted.
“Insecurity affects every Nigerian, Muslim, Christian, traditional religion adherent — it does not discriminate when bandits or kidnappers strike,” he said. “But when Christian centres of worship are repeatedly attacked in specific regions with little effective intervention, it is valid to ask why.”
He noted that state and federal governments have a duty to ensure the safety of all religious communities. “It is not about religion being superior or inferior. It is about ensuring that citizens can worship free from fear and harm.”
On Government Responsibility
“The government has the primary responsibility to protect lives and property,” the Bishop said bluntly. “When international bodies sound alarms, it should motivate us to improve protection, not create division.”
He added, “The CPC designation should spur a reinvigorated drive to strengthen security responses, address root causes of violence, and ensure that no community feels abandoned.”
Political and Social Dimensions
Addressing critics who argue that violence in Nigeria is more about communal and resource conflict than religious targeting, Fagbemi acknowledged the complexity.
“It is undeniable that some attacks are fuelled by ethnic, land, or economic disputes,” he said. “But the recurrence of attacks on worship centres and killing of congregants taken as a pattern is what international actors are highlighting.”
He continued, “Even if motivations are mixed, our government must not allow any form of violence to go unchecked or unpunished.”
Call for Internal Accountability
Bishop Fagbemi urged Nigerian leaders to look inward. “We must examine how this situation has gone on for too long. We must acknowledge where security gaps exist and how they affect religious freedoms and human rights.”
He warned against dismissing international concerns outright. “Denying reality will not make it go away. Instead, we should work collaboratively with partners, civil society, and local communities to find sustainable solutions.”
“We must remember the human stories behind every number — every attack, every kidnapping, every life lost or disrupted,” he said. “These are mothers, fathers, pastors, children, grandparents. Their suffering is real.”
He added, “If the world sees this suffering and feels compelled to speak, we must not be defensive. We must be resolute in fixing what is broken.”
Global Religious Freedom and Nigerian Progress
On international engagement, the Bishop acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic partnerships. “Engagement with global partners on security and religious freedom must be constructive. We want cooperation that protects citizens and respects sovereignty.”
Recent government engagements with U.S. officials to address CPC concerns were highlighted as a step toward stronger collaboration.
A Call for Unity and Action
Bishop Fagbemi said Nigeria must see this moment as a call to action rather than division.
“Security challenges will not be solved by finger‑pointing alone,” he said. “We must inspect our institutions, empower our security forces, uphold the constitution, and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of faith, can live and worship safely.”
He ended with a solemn appeal: “Let this designation not be a cause for despair but a spur to renew our commitment to justice, protection, and unity.”
