The Islamic State has warned Nigerian Christians that they can “spare their blood” by renouncing their faith in Christ, according to a social media post from a West Virginia congressman and a Jan. 8 news report.
U.S. Rep. Riley Moore’s (R-West Virginia) post on X about the threats to Nigerian Christians from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) followed Christmas season attacks on Christian villages.
Moore’s post, and subsequent reporting from Newsweek, come on the heels of joint military action by the United States and the Nigeria government against the ISWAP terrorists. The Nigerian government’s cooperation was offered despite claims that the terrorists are “indiscriminate” in who they target.
“If there were any remaining doubts that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for their faith in Jesus Christ, this should end that debate,” Moore wrote.
A few mainstream news outlets have parroted the claims of some in the Nigerian government that the killing of Christians stems from tensions over material resources and land, but Moore lambasted such rhetoric.
“This isn’t about land usage, ‘climate change,’ or any other argument the Left wants to make. This is persecution of our brothers and sisters for their faith in Christ, plain and simple.
“ISIS is telling Christians they have an opportunity to ‘spare their blood’ if they convert. Our brothers and sisters will not bend the knee to anyone but our Lord and Savior though.”
Moore added, “Thankfully @POTUS is continuing to work in cooperation with the Nigerian government to stop these Islamic radicals and defend our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The congressman’s post linked to another post shared by a geopolitical analyst, Philip Brant, that showed a photo, reportedly shared by ISWAP terrorists, of what is claimed to be a Christian village aflame in Adamawa State.
According to Newsweek, a message from the Islamic State published in its weekly propaganda newsletter stated, “A security source told Al-Naba that Nigerian Nusari [a derogative word the group uses for Christians] are a legitimate target for the mujahideen and that they have the opportunity to spare their blood by converting to Islam or paying the jizya [a tax paid by non-Muslims] to the Muslim Imam in the West Africa Province.”
Since 2009, Nigeria has been plagued by violence against Christians from Islamic State and other Islamist terror groups, such as Boko Haram and the Fulani, a nomadic clan of militant livestock herders known for their violence.
Late last year, the Trump State Department announced it was placing Nigeria on its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), a moniker given to nations where religious persecution is most rampant. Nigeria’s CPC status was removed in 2021 during the first few months of the Biden administration.
Multiple watchdog groups estimate the number of Christians murdered in Nigeria since 2000 by Islamist groups is at least 60,000. Baptist Press has reported that since Christmas, at least 58 Christians have been killed in the violence.
