"Daily Destruction of Three Churches: Canadian Lawmaker Sounds the Alarm on Nigeria's Christian Persecution"

Table of Contents

• Accusation by Andrew Scheer
• Boko Haram's Actions
• Call to Action
• Media Coverage
• Nigerian Government Response

Canadian lawmaker Andrew Scheer has accused the international community of overlooking what he described as the systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Scheer, who represents Regina–Qu’Appelle in Canada’s House of Commons, stated that Boko Haram and affiliated militias are conducting a genocidal campaign that has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.

While speaking on the floor of Parliament and in a video shared on his X account on Friday, he asserted that 7,000 Christians have been killed this year, 3.5 million have been displaced, and three churches are destroyed each day.

Scheer, a former leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, recalled Boko Haram’s abduction of schoolgirls and the burning alive of civilians. He added that worshippers in Nigeria now gather in secrecy or in the ruins of burnt buildings.

He urged governments, humanitarian organizations, and faith communities to provide relief and solidarity for those affected.

“The world has largely overlooked the persecution of Christians in Nigeria: 7,000 killed, 3.5 million displaced, and three churches destroyed every day. It’s time to break the silence, raise awareness, and support those enduring unimaginable suffering,” he stated.

“The Honourable Member for Regina–Capel. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the tragedy that Christians in Nigeria are facing. The deadly terrorist organization Boko Haram is attempting to eradicate the Christian faith from Nigeria,” Scheer said in a video posted on his X account on Friday.

American comedian Bill Maher also criticized Western media for neglecting to cover the crisis. During his HBO show Real Time on September 26, Maher referred to the violence as genocide, citing reports that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and 18,000 churches destroyed. U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace expressed her gratitude to him for raising awareness of the issue.

The Nigerian government has dismissed claims of a systematic campaign against Christians.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Sunday, described such claims as false and divisive, insisting that terrorist groups target individuals of all faiths, including Muslims, Christians, and non-religious communities.