Nigerian bishops urge action after 300 die in church attacks

Nigerian bishops have condemned a string of attacks on places of worship, calling them a “trail of terror” that strikes humanity itself. The statement was issued on Monday after a series of bombings and gunfire at churches across the northern states of Kaduna, Kano and Borno. In the past month, more than 20 churches have been targeted, killing or injuring over 300 people. The bishops urged the government to act quickly to protect religious sites and to bring those responsible to justice.

The violence comes amid a long‑standing conflict with Islamist insurgents, mainly Boko Haram, who have targeted Christian and Muslim communities alike. Since 2009, the group has claimed more than 30,000 lives, many in rural villages. In recent weeks, the group’s attacks have shifted to urban areas, making the threat feel closer to home for millions of Nigerians. The Catholic Church, which has about 3 million followers in the country, is one of the largest religious institutions in Nigeria. Its leaders say that attacks on churches not only harm the faithful but also undermine social cohesion and threaten the nation’s fragile peace.

Bishop Gabriel Igbokwe, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the attacks “are an attack on our collective humanity.” He called on the president and security forces to increase patrols around churches and to investigate the perpetrators. The bishops also urged the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism. In a joint statement, the Anglican and Islamic leaders added that they would work together to protect places of worship and to promote dialogue between faith groups.

The government has pledged to increase security budgets and to deploy additional troops to high‑risk areas. The United Nations has offered technical assistance to help Nigeria improve its counter‑terrorism strategy. Meanwhile, the bishops are preparing a national day of prayer and a march to the capital to demand stronger protection for worshippers. If the attacks continue, the risk of wider sectarian violence rises, threatening Nigeria’s stability and the safety of millions of citizens.