Washington, D.C.- In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Christians and religious minorities in the Middle East, calls on the U.S. and the international community to investigate the attack in Nigeria, which saw the killing of 11 Nigerian Christians, 1 of whom was shot and 10 of whom were beheaded. IDC also calls on the Nigerian government to respond with vigilance to prosecute the attackers, support victims, and ensure Christians and other religious minorities can worship safely and freely.
On December 26, IS released a video showing 11 victims they claimed were kidnapped from Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State. It was released to strike fear in the hearts of Nigerian Christians during Christmas celebrations and the group claims it was also an act of vengeance for the killing of IS leaders such as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
IDC calls on the United States and the international community to respond to the threat that IS continues to pose to Christians and churches across the globe. “Christians across the world continue to face persecution at record numbers and it is imperative that the global community prioritize the safety and religious liberty of Christians in global hotspots of persecution. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families,” said IDC President Toufic Baaklini.
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