Prominent preacher and founder of Abel Damina Ministries International, Pastor Abel Damina, has spoken out about what he described as the repeated and targeted attacks on Christians in northern Nigeria. Sharing his personal experiences, the outspoken cleric said he had survived several assaults over the years, making him a victim of what many now call the “Christian genocide” in the region.
In a video posted on his official social media pages, Pastor Damina expressed deep concern over what he sees as a sustained effort to downplay the severity of the killings. He said it was unfortunate that while innocent citizens were losing their lives, some powerful interests were attempting to twist the narrative and present the crisis as something else.
“I am a victim of these attacks. I have experienced them personally in the North. Christians are being targeted, churches are being destroyed, and lives are being lost. Yet, people pretend that it’s not happening,” he lamented.
The Akwa Ibom-born preacher’s comments come amid renewed debate about religious persecution and insecurity in northern Nigeria, especially following recent international reactions to the crisis.
Trump’s Strong Remarks Rekindle Global Attention
Pastor Damina’s statement followed global attention triggered by remarks reportedly made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of the situation. Trump was quoted as saying that if he were still in office, he would not tolerate what he described as “mass killings of Christians” in Nigeria. His comments have since gone viral, sparking outrage among Nigerian officials and mixed reactions from citizens.
Some members of Nigeria’s political establishment quickly dismissed Trump’s claims, calling them “exaggerated” and “misleading.” According to government spokespersons, Nigeria’s security challenge is not religious but rather a broader problem of terrorism that affects all citizens, regardless of faith.
“The truth is that Muslims, Christians, and people of other beliefs are all victims of the same violence,” one official said. “These are acts of terrorism driven by criminal networks, not by religion.”
Officials also attributed the unrest in parts of the country to clashes between farmers and herders struggling over land and water resources — a crisis worsened by desertification, population growth, and the drying up of grazing routes.
The Broader Picture: Decades of Religious Tension
Nigeria’s history of religious violence dates back several decades, with repeated cycles of conflict in states such as Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Borno. While the causes of these conflicts vary, religion has often been at the centre of the tension.
The rise of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and, later, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), intensified the persecution of Christian communities in the North-East. Thousands of churches have been burnt, entire villages wiped out, and millions displaced. While Muslim communities have also suffered greatly from terrorist attacks, the targeting of Christians for their faith remains a troubling pattern that has drawn concern from international human rights bodies.
According to various humanitarian reports, thousands of Nigerians — both Christians and Muslims — have lost their lives since the insurgency began in 2009. The crisis has left a trail of destruction, creating one of Africa’s worst internal displacement situations.
Damina: “Silence Will Not Help the Church”
Pastor Damina urged Christian leaders not to stay silent in the face of what he called an attempt to erase the faith in parts of northern Nigeria. He said it was time for the Church to unite in prayer and advocacy rather than pretend that everything was fine.
“Silence is not golden when people are being slaughtered. We must speak up, we must pray, and we must demand justice for the innocent. Our faith teaches us to love, but it also teaches us to stand for truth,” he said.
He emphasised that acknowledging the reality of persecution did not mean promoting hatred or division but rather calling for fairness and accountability.
Calls for Justice and Balanced Reporting
The cleric also took issue with those who attempt to neutralise the issue by labelling it as a “farmer-herder conflict” or “banditry.” According to him, such narratives water down the gravity of what is happening and prevent authorities from addressing the root causes.
“Of course, there are economic and political dimensions to the violence, but we must not ignore the fact that many attacks specifically target Christians and churches. When you destroy a church and kill people worshipping inside, that is not about land or cattle — it is about hate,” he insisted.
Pastor Damina appealed to the media, both local and international, to report these incidents truthfully and sensitively. He said that fair reporting could help pressure the government into taking stronger action and encourage global humanitarian support for the victims.
Government’s Position
Despite such accusations, Nigerian authorities maintain that they are doing everything possible to protect lives and property. The government points to large-scale military operations in the North-East, the North-West, and the North-Central regions aimed at dismantling terror networks and restoring peace.
Security analysts, however, argue that while military efforts have recorded some successes, the underlying issues — including poverty, unemployment, weak intelligence networks, and ethnic mistrust — continue to fuel the violence.
Several state governments have also set up peacebuilding initiatives and interfaith dialogue committees to promote coexistence among Christians and Muslims. These efforts, while commendable, have yet to fully heal decades-old divisions.
Faith Amid Fear
For many Christians in northern Nigeria, fear has become a daily reality. Church attendance in some communities has dropped, and many now worship in secret. Some pastors have relocated their families to safer regions, while others have stayed behind to keep their congregations together.
Pastor Damina’s testimony adds a personal dimension to the tragedy, reminding Nigerians that beyond statistics are real people living in constant danger. His story echoes those of countless others who have endured persecution but continue to hold on to their faith.
A Call for Unity
The preacher concluded his message with a call for unity among Nigerians across all faiths, urging citizens to reject narratives that divide them. “We cannot afford to fight each other. The enemies of peace want us divided, but we must rise above hatred. Whether Christian or Muslim, we are all Nigerians, and our pain is the same,” he said.
His appeal reflects a growing sentiment among faith leaders who believe that healing Nigeria’s deep wounds requires a collective commitment to truth, justice, and compassion.
As the debate continues over whether the violence in northern Nigeria should be classified as “genocide” or “terrorism,” one fact remains undeniable — too many innocent lives have been lost. Pastor Damina’s revelation, painful as it is, adds another voice to the chorus calling for an end to the bloodshed and for Nigeria to finally confront its demons with honesty and courage.
