In a powerful testimony that has drawn international attention, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has declared Nigeria the most dangerous country in the world for Christians. The religious leader delivered his stark warning before the United States House Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Systematic Elimination of Christian Communities
Bishop Anagbe presented a chilling account of what he described as a coordinated campaign to eliminate Christian presence in northern and middle belt regions of Nigeria. The Catholic bishop stated that Christianity faces the real risk of being completely wiped out from these areas if urgent intervention doesn't occur.
According to his testimony, the violence represents more than random attacks but rather a systematic effort to erase Christian cultural and religious identity from these regions. The bishop emphasized that Nigeria is entering what he called "one of its darkest periods" for Christian believers.
Violence Carried Out With Impunity
The religious leader detailed how attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified significantly, targeting Christian communities without fear of consequences. Perpetrators operate with complete impunity, according to the bishop, who noted that more Christians are killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined.
Bishop Anagbe cited numerous incidents of unrelenting killings, mass displacement, and targeted attacks that have created a massive humanitarian crisis. The violence has destroyed farmland and created severe food insecurity, compounding the suffering of affected communities.
Millions Displaced and Cultural Survival Threatened
The testimony revealed that millions of displaced persons remain in camps, unable to return to their ancestral lands. This situation threatens not only religious survival but also cultural continuity and economic stability for Christian communities.
Bishop Anagbe characterized his warning as a serious, well-founded wakeup call to the international community. He stressed that Nigeria must now be met with decisive action following its designation as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations.
The bishop's appearance before US lawmakers comes as a Nigerian government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu meets with US Congressman Riley M. Moore to address concerns about Christian persecution and ongoing terrorist threats in the country.
