One in Every Six Christians in Africa Experience High Persecution

01/19/2019 Africa (International Christian Concern) – According to a recent report released by Open Doors USA, one in every six Christians in Africa experiences high persecution. The data represents a significant increase on that gathered in the previous year which found that one in every eight African Christians experienced high persecution.

A press release from Open Doors USA reported, “More than 631 [million] Africans consider themselves to be Christians. Overall, Open Doors World Watch List estimates that over 245 million Christians now experience high, very high or extreme persecution.”

Open Doors USA ranked Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, the 12th most dangerous country to be a Christian in the world. In Nigeria, Christians living in the country’s northern and middle belt regions face increasing threats from extremist groups such as Boko Haram and militant Fulani herdsmen.

According to Open Doors USA, “Nigeria’s score for violence has stayed as high as possible, primarily due to the increased attacks on Christian communities by Hausa-Fulani Islamic militant herdsmen. Additionally, in parts of northern Nigeria, Christians are treated as second-class citizens with Christians from Muslim backgrounds facing persecution from their own families.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.