Religious Riots Claim Thousands of Lives in Nigeria
Perhaps nowhere in the world has Muslim/Christian tension cost so many lives. Thousands have been killed in recent years, and attacks have heated up again. Some say that Muslims retaliating for Christian attacks have killed 3,000 Christians.
Here is Christianity Today's most recent coverage along with past articles on the continuing violence in the country.
Statistics vary for the number of Christians in the country. However, Operation World puts estimates at 53 percent of the population with more than 58 million adherents. Muslims number 46 million at 41 percent of the population. Independence from Britain in 1960 led to Muslim military rule. With death of Gen. Sani Abacha in 1998, Muslim rule was replaced by democratic elections. Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian, is now the president. Despite the secular government, Muslims have imposed Shari'ah law in eight northern states, causing resentment among the Christians there. Christianity has experienced a spectacular growth in the country since 1960. Roughly 900,000 Anglicans have grown to about 11 million in 2000, and evangelicals have grown from 2.1 million to 26 million in 2000. Catholics make up the largest group of Christians in the country.
Eye for an Eye for an Eye
Are Nigeria's deadly religious riots really about religion?
By Obed Minchakpu in Jos | posted June 23, 2004
Weblog: 3,000 Christians Killed in Kano Attacks, Group Says
Nigeria death toll much higher than previous claims
By Ted Olsen | posted May 21, 2004
Pastors Killed, Churches Burned
New wave of violence begins in Nigeria.
By Richard Nyberg | posted May 17, 2004
Weblog: Nigerian Christians Say Nearly 600 Killed In This Week's Riots
A situation in desperate need of hard reporting.
By Ted Olsen | posted May 14, 2004
Weblog: Fresh Fighting in NigeriaDeath Estimates Now Over 1,000
As Muslim prayers ended today in Kano, Nigeria, more violence erupted in the city that officials thought they had largely under control.
by Ted Olsen with Rob Moll | posted May 14, 2004
Weblog: Eye-for-Eye Religious Violence Blinds Nigeria
Muslims retaliate against retaliatory attack, leaving many casualties.
by Ted Olsen | posted May 11, 2004
Weblog: Nigerian Christians Attack Muslims, Kill Dozens
Reports estimate that between 67 and 300 are dead after Christian ethnic Taroks attacked Muslim cattle-herders in the town of Yelwa in central Nigeria's Plateau State.
by Rob Moll | posted May 05, 2004
Sub-Saharan Powder Keg
What you can do to help persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
By Jeff M. Sellers | posted Feb. 05, 2003
Violence-Weary Muslims and Christians Talk Peace in Nigeria
Shari'ah law divides leaders.
Ecumenical News International | posted Nov. 04, 2002
'A Blast of Hell'
500,000 people uprooted, thousands dead in violence.
Stan Guthrie with Obed Minchakpu in Jos | posted Sept. 24, 2002
Where Adultery Means Death
Political and religious leaders clash in Nigeria over the increased use of Islamic law.
By Obed Minchakpu in Lagos | posted May 08, 2002
Chronic Violence Claims 2,000 Lives
The adoption of Islamic law in northern Nigeria has ignited conflict between Christians and Muslims.
By Obed Minchakpu in Jos, Nigeria | posted Jan. 07, 2002
Hundreds of Christians Take Shelter in Barracks After Riots in Nigeria
Some report that violence since mid-October has left more than 200 dead.
By Obed Minchakpu in Kano, Nigeria | posted Nov. 01, 2001
Religious Riots in Nigeria Leave Hundreds Dead
Leaders condemn the use of religion as a tool for violence.
By Obed Minchakpu in Jos, Nigeria | posted Oct. 02, 2001
AllAfrica.com also has extensive coverage of news from the country.
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