Church in Nigeria 'Being Eliminated'

February 12, 2012

The Church of England this week called on the British government to "do all it can" to support the protection of Christians and religious minorities in Nigeria, according to Christian Today. "The church [in] the north of Nigeria is systematically, deliberately and progressively being eliminated," said the Rev. Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham. Churches and Christian communities in northern Nigeria have faced increasing violence and attacks from the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. Welby acknowledged that some violence was being committed against Muslims, but said the "vast majority" was being directed at Christians. Thousands have fled to southern Nigeria, having received little protection from the government. "There is no place on this earth lonelier than being the victims of mass attack in a nation so often forgotten by our media," Welby said.