Nigeria Report

Since 2019 CSI has been advocating on behalf of Nigeria’s Christians amid escalating sectarian violence. On January 30, 2022 it issued a Genocide Warning in response to the rising tide of violence by Islamist militants.

Rhoda Jatau in court in Bauchi on October 16, 2023.

#FreeRhoda campaign

On May 20, 2022, Rhoda Ya'u Jatau, a Christian healthcare worker from Bauchi State, was arrested and jailed after being accused of blasphemy. CSI campaigned for her release for 18 months, using the hashtag #FreeRhoda. Jatau was finally released on bail on December 8, 2023.

Campaign news

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani

Nigeria: Over 500 kidnapped in Southern Kaduna in under one month

Christian communities of Kaduna State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, have come under repeated attack by armed men in the past month. The attackers - suspected Fulani militants - have kidnapped more than 500 villagers for ransom, including 287 schoolchildren, writes Southern Kaduna-based journalist Luka Binniyat.

Map showing GSS school, Kuriga, Kaduna, Nigeria

Nigeria: Jihadist groups implicated in abductions of schoolchildren

In a new chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing violence, gunmen seized around 300 children from schools in two northern states on March 7 and 9. Although unidentified, the attackers are believed to be in league with the jihadist forces that have held the country to ransom for the past 15 years.

Nigeria, United States

Nigerian Christians massacred as Blinken visits Abuja

Dozens of Christians in Mangu local government area of Plateau State in Nigeria have been killed in Fulani militia attacks since January 23, CSI’s sources in the area report.

The Christmas Eve attacks left many houses destroyed. ECCVN

Christmas attacks in Nigeria: thousands of Plateau residents displaced

Up to 20,000 people are reportedly homeless following brutal attacks on Christian villagers in central Nigeria’s Plateau State over Christmas. The attacks, which left more than 200 dead, have been blamed on Islamist Fulani militants.

Rhoda Jatau in court in Bauchi on October 16, 2023.

Nigeria: Jailed Christian woman Rhoda Jatau released on bail

Rhoda Jatau, a Christian healthcare worker accused of blasphemy and jailed in May 2022, has been granted bail and freed. However, the charges against her have not been dropped. A new court hearing is scheduled for December 19.

A tearful Rhoda Jatau outside the courtroom on October 16, 2023. csi

Nigerian blasphemy victim fails in bid to win her freedom

Rhoda Jatau, the Christian healthcare worker who has been detained since May 2022 on blasphemy charges, has lost her legal bid to have the case against her thrown out. The ruling is a huge disappointment for Rhoda, her family and all her supporters.

Isaac Achi. Diocese of Minna

Nigeria: Catholic bishops sound alarm over kidnapping and killing of clergy

Amid the continuing sectarian conflict in Nigeria, members of the clergy are being singled out for attack by Islamist and criminal groups, according to church leaders. An analysis of media reports reveals that tens of priests and pastors have been abducted or killed this year.

Rhoda Jatau in court in Bauchi on October 16, 2023.

UN Special Rapporteur issues communication over jailed Christian woman

A United Nations Special Rapporteur has written to the Nigerian government to express concern over the continued criminalization of blasphemy in the country and the treatment of those accused of it, specifically Deborah Yakubu and Rhoda Jatau.

A tearful Rhoda Jatau outside the courtroom on October 16, 2023. csi

Nigerian blasphemy victim to learn fate on November 27

Rhoda Jatau, the Christian healthcare worker presently standing trial for blasphemy at the High Court in Bauchi State, northern Nigeria, will finally know her fate at the end of November - close to one year after her trial began.

Nigeria Report newsletter

Keep up to date with events in Nigeria - sign up for our regular newsletter