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As Christians, we’re told that following Jesus will require us to “pick up our cross.” Thankfully, for most of us, bearing this cross doesn’t include severe physical persecution. For Christians in Nigeria and Syria, however, the opposite is true.
On April 15th, 2026, Christians in Nigeria and Syria faced another bloodbath without anyone to take up for them. According to CBN News, “Islamist militants are attacking churches, villages, and Christian neighborhoods while governments do little to stop them.”
While Christian communities around the world like these have faced immense persecution for decades, the violence is only getting worse. In fact, in specific parts of Nigeria, being a Christian can now result in the death sentence. Talk about loving the Lord unto death.
During the week of Easter, Islamist gunmen killed more than 60 believers in villages, businesses, and churches for no reason other than their faith. On Palm Sunday, dozens were killed in the city of Jos. As death tolls continue to rise, Todd Nettleton, Vice President of Voice of the Martyrs, is closely monitoring this growing epidemic.
“The gunmen were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they were firing on the Christians. So, that is not just a criminal activity with a clear religious motivation…the fact that it took place in what I’m told is a 100% Christian area of the city, is also a sign of Christians being targeted,” he insisted. “I don’t know about the word genocide, but it is clear that Christians are being targeted.”