Nigerian Bishops Release Powerful Statement on ‘Moving from Fragility to Stability’ in Their Afflicted Country

November 26, 2025, Washington, D.C. – The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) calls attention to a critical statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria titled, “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability.” Issued yesterday, the statement addresses a range of urgent matters that demand the focus of Nigerian political and religious leaders, U.S. officials, and anyone else concerned about the mass violence and other forms of religious persecution engulfing Nigeria.

“RFI welcomes this sweeping statement from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria on the ongoing violence and repression confronting the country’s Christians,” said RFI President David Trimble. “This statement speaks forcefully about what they and their fellow Christians have endured for years and what needs to be done now to begin securing real peace and a better future for all Nigerians.”

The Nigerian Bishops begin by recounting the alarming conditions on the ground there. They observe that

several predominantly Christian communities, particularly in the Northern and middle belt regions of the country, have come under repeated and brutal attacks, resulting in heavy casualties and the tragic loss of many Christian lives.

Not only are violent non-state actors attacking Christian communities, but the Nigerian government at multiple levels continues to fail adequately to restrain and punish these actors. “In some instances,” the Bishops continue, “there have been disturbing reports of delayed or withheld security responses, giving the impression of possible collusion or a lack of will to act.”

The Bishops also remind that the scope of the violence in Nigeria has afflicted non-Christians. They state:

“…we are equally deeply concerned that Muslims and many other innocent citizens of diverse ethnic backgrounds have also been victims of this same cruelty that continues to desecrate our common humanity.”

In addition to the immense suffering caused by Islamist terrorists and militants – including Fulani herdsmen – Nigeria is plagued by a general societal disorder driven by rampant criminality. “When criminals can strike schools, farms, and communities with impunity,” the Bishops state, “it threatens the very foundations of family life, education, and social stability.”

RFI joins the Nigerian Bishops in calling on “the Government at all levels to urgently and decisively fulfill its foremost duty, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, to protect the lives and property of all citizens.”

In addition to violence, Nigerian Christians continue to endure legal repression, especially in the north. The Bishops state:

We further draw attention to the persistent violations of the rights and freedoms of Christian minorities in several northern states. The denial of land for the construction of churches, particularly within federal institutions, and the destruction of Christian places of worship, especially at the height of Boko Haram’s insurgency, are matters that demand urgent and decisive government action. The overreach of Sharia Courts in some states poses serious constitutional concerns, as it threatens Nigeria’s secular character and infringes on the rights of Christian minorities.

Not content only to provide an account of the causes of suffering in Nigeria, the Bishops also make an appeal for pursuing “lasting peace”:

This moment calls for decisive action to halt the terror engulfing our nation and for meaningful dialogue and peacebuilding aimed at restoring confidence among our people. Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay. It requires justice, courage, and a firm commitment to the sanctity of human life. Nigerians and the global community can no longer tolerate excuses for continued insecurity.

Read the full statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria titled: “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability.”

The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) works to secure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. RFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.