BWA NEWS IN BRIEF
NIGERIA: Baptists Condemn Religious Violence in Nigeria
The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) continues to watch the situation in Nigeria where Baptist leaders are
concerned about violence between Muslims and Christians.
“Religion is being used as a veneer or as a front or cover in order to take control of the state,” the BWA was
told by Solomon Ishola, general secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC).
Ishola was responding to the recent violence in Plateau State where there have been clashes between
Muslims and Christians. The most recent incidents occurred in early March when more than 500 Christians
were killed in villages close to Jos, the administrative capital of Plateau State, with most being women and
children.
The state has had a long history of conflicts. In January, approximately 500 persons died from clashes
between Muslim and Christian factions, with an estimated 5,000 persons displaced by the fighting.
Approximately 1,000 persons died from what were allegedly religious clashes in 2001, and some 300 were
killed in 2008.
Plateau State lies in the middle of the divide between the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria and the
predominately Christian south. Ishola, who heads the largest Baptist convention in Africa, explained that the
clashes are mainly between ethnic groups. “It is a struggle between indigenous people and settlers,” explained
Ishola, a vice president of the Baptist World Alliance.
The Hausa-Fulani are the settlers, while the Birom are the indigenous people group. The former
group is mostly Muslim. The Birom, while being indigenous, are a minority group in Plateau State and are
predominantly Christian. “Plateau state is traditionally Christian,” said Ishola. But with the Hausa-Fulani fast
becoming the majority, Christians are resisting attempts by that group to take control of the state, said Ishola.
Plateau State is one among a few traditionally Christian states, including Benue State, which is bordered
by other states that are controlled by the Hausa-Fulani. A number of these historically Muslim states have
established Sharia Law, a form of Islamic jurisprudence.
Baptists have been affected by the clashes. In January, six Baptists were killed while seven Baptist
churches were burnt. Baptists, who are mainly in the southwest and in the Delta region of the country, are
deeply concerned about the conflict. Migrant workers in the oil-rich Delta, many of whom come from other
states, including Plateau, are worried about their families. “Many Baptists in other parts of Nigeria have
relatives there,” Ishola stated.
The NBC, which has 2.5 million members in 9,500 churches, has given aid to victims of the clashes. In
January, the NBC sent the equivalent of approximately US$55,000 after the violence.
The BWA has condemned the violence and has called on all Baptists to pray for Nigeria, the most populous
country in Africa. “We are saddened by the continued violence deeply impacting Christian communities in
Nigeria, and regret the ongoing loss of human lives caused by this ethnic and religious unrest,” said Raimundo
Barreto, director of the Division of Freedom and Justice of the BWA. “The BWA calls on all Baptists around the
world to pray for those who are experiencing grief and sorrow; and urges Nigerian and international authorities
to take all necessary actions to ensure a permanent end of these conflicts,” Barreto stated.
In the meantime, the NBC is working through the Interreligious Council to try and help to stem the violence.
The council, which comprises both Christian and Muslim leaders, “aims to bridge the gap, bring peace, and
challenge the government to protect life and property and to compensate persons for the loss of life and
property,” explained Ishola.
The NBC participates in the Interreligious Council with other Christian bodies that are affiliated with the
Christian Council of Nigeria and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Ishola accuses the federal government of lacking the will to address the crisis. “The national leaders lack
the political will to deal with the situation due to the dynamics of religion in the country.” The leaders, Ishola
stated, “may have sympathy with the settlers.”
Ishola fears the breakup of his country, which is dogged by ethnic differences and conflicts. “Nigeria is
several countries in one,” he said. “Tribes that are being molested and persecuted may lose patience.” But
Christians, he declared, “are optimistic that if there are able leaders,” the breakup of Nigeria can be avoided.

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