2015 മുതൽ 2025 വരെയുള്ള പത്തുവർഷകാലയളവിൽ നൈജീരിയയിൽ അക്രമികൾ 145 വൈദികരെ തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോയെന്നും, അവരിൽ 11 പേർ കൊലചെയ്യപ്പെട്ടുവെന്നും ഫീദെസ് വാർത്താ ഏജൻസി അറിയിച്ചു. നൈജീരിയയിലെ കത്തോലിക്കാ സെക്രെട്ടറിയേറ്റ് (Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria – CSN) അടുത്തിടെ നടത്തിയ പഠനങ്ങളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലാണ്, മത, വർഗ്ഗീയ, രാഷ്ട്രീയ ഭിന്നതകൾ മൂലം അക്രമസംഭവങ്ങൾ പതിവായി വരുന്ന നൈജീരിയയിലെ ക്രൈസ്തവസമൂഹം നേരിടുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധികളെക്കുറിച്ച് ഫീദെസ് റിപ്പോർട്ട് ചെയ്‌തത്‌. തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകപ്പെട്ട നാല് വൈദികരെ ഇനിയും കണ്ടെത്താനായിട്ടില്ലെന്നും ഫീദെസ് അറിയിച്ചു.

തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകപ്പെട്ടവരിൽ കൂടുതൽ വൈദികരും ഒവ്വേരി (Owerri) അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്നുള്ളവരാണ്. കഴിഞ്ഞ പത്ത് വർഷങ്ങളിൽ നാല്പത്തിയേഴ് വൈദികരെയാണ് ഇവിടെനിന്ന് അക്രമികൾ തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോയത്. ഇവരിൽ രണ്ടു പേരൊഴികെ ഏവരെയും അക്രമികൾ സുരക്ഷിതരായി വിട്ടയച്ചുവെന്നും, അവരുടെ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിനായുള്ള ശ്രമങ്ങളുടെ മികവോ, നൽകപ്പെട്ട മോചനദ്രവ്യമോ ആണ് ഇതിന് പിന്നിലെന്നും പഠനങ്ങൾ വ്യക്തമാക്കി. തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകപ്പെട്ടവരുടെ എണ്ണത്തിൽ രണ്ടാമത് നിൽക്കുന്ന ഒനിറ്റ്ഷ (Onitsha) അതിരൂപതയിൽ നിന്ന് മുപ്പത് വൈദികരെയാണ് അക്രമികൾ പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ടുപോയത്. ഇവരിൽ ഒരാൾ കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.

കദുന (Kaduna) അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്ന് തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകപ്പെട്ട ഇരുപത്തിനാല് വൈദികരിൽ ഏഴ് പേർ കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ടുവെന്നും, രാജ്യത്തെ മറ്റെല്ലാ പ്രദേശങ്ങളിലും വച്ച് ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ വൈദികർ കൊലചെയ്യപ്പെട്ടത് ഇവിടെയാണെന്നും ഫീദെസ് അറിയിച്ചു. വടക്കൻ നൈജീരിയയിൽ കൂടുതലായി നിലനിൽക്കുന്ന തീവ്രവാദപ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ, വിമതസംഘടനകളുടെ സ്വാധീനം, മതപരമായ സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ എന്നിവ ഇത്തരം അക്രമങ്ങൾക്ക് പിന്നിലുണ്ടാകാമെന്നാണ് കരുതപ്പെടുന്നത്.

കദുന അതിരൂപതാപ്രദേശത്തെ അക്രമികൾ കൂടുതൽ അപകടകാരികളാണെന്നും, രാഷ്ട്രീയപരമായ കാരണങ്ങളാകാം തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകലിന് പിന്നിലെന്നും, മോചനദ്രവ്യം ലഭിക്കുന്നതിന് വേണ്ടിയല്ല ഇവയിൽ പലതുമെന്നും റിപ്പോർട്ടിൽ തെളിഞ്ഞു. അബുജ സംസ്ഥാനതലസ്ഥാനം ഉൾപ്പെടുന്ന അബൂജ (Abuja) അതിരൂപതയിൽ രണ്ടു വൈദികർ കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ടെന്നും, സുരക്ഷിതമെന്ന് കരുതപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന ഇടങ്ങൾ പോലും അക്രമവിമുക്തമല്ലെന്നാണ് ഇതുവഴി തെളിയുന്നതെന്നും ഫീദെസ് എഴുതി.

ബെനിൻ (Benin), ഒനിറ്റ്ഷ (Onitsha) അതിരൂപതകളിൽ ഓരോ വൈദികർ വീതമാണ് കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ടതെങ്കിലും, ഇവിടങ്ങളിലും തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകൽ അക്രമാസക്തമാണെന്നാണ് മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നതെന്നും റിപ്പോർട്ട് വ്യക്തമാക്കി. കദുന, ബെനിൻ അതിരൂപതകളിൽനിന്ന് ഒന്നുവീതവും, ഒവ്വേരി അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്നുള്ള രണ്ടു വൈദികരെയും ഇനിയും കണ്ടുകിട്ടിയിട്ടില്ല.

ഇബദാൻ (Ibadan) അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്ന് രണ്ടും, കാലാബാർ (Calabar) അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്ന് നാലും വൈദികർ തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോകപ്പെട്ടെങ്കിലും അവരെ അക്രമികൾ പിന്നീട് വിട്ടയച്ചു. സാമ്പത്തികമായി മെച്ചമായ ലാഗോസ് പ്രദേശത്തുള്ള ലാഗോസ് (Lagos) അതിരൂപതയിൽനിന്ന് നാളിതുവരെ വൈദികരെ അക്രമികൾ തട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോയിട്ടില്ല. പ്രദേശത്തെ മെച്ചപ്പെട്ട സുരക്ഷാസൗകര്യങ്ങളും, മതതീവ്രവാദപ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളിലെ കുറവുമാകാം ഇതിന് പിന്നിലെന്ന് ഫീദെസ് അറിയിച്ചു.
Sources:azchavattomonline.com

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In the last 10 years, 145 priests have been kidnapped in Nigeria. This is evident from the analysis carried out by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), which collected data on the kidnappings of Nigerian priests between 2015 and 2025. Of the 145 kidnapped priests, 11 were killed, while four remain missing. All the others have been released.
The report, sent to Fides, is divided by ecclesiastical province.
We publish it in its entirety.

A. Most Affected Provinces (Kidnappings)

1. Owerri Province (47 cases)
– Highest number of kidnappings, indicating a high-risk region for clergy.
– Despite the high number, all but two priests were released safely, suggesting effective rescue efforts or ransom payments.

2. Onitsha Province (30 cases)
– Second highest in kidnappings but with a significantly lower fatality rate (1 priest killed).
– This suggests a pattern of abductions primarily for ransom rather than targeted killings.

3. Kaduna Province (24 cases, 7 deaths)
– Highest death toll among all provinces, indicating a more violent pattern of kidnappings.
– This could be due to terrorist activity, insurgent influence, or heightened religious tensions in northern Nigeria.

B. Provinces with the Highest Death Toll

1. Kaduna Province (7 priests killed)
– Represents the most dangerous province, where kidnappings frequently end in fatalities.
– Suggests that kidnappers in this region are more aggressive, politically motivated, or less interested in ransom negotiations.

2. Abuja Province (2 priests killed)
– The Federal Capital Region is also affected, showing that even security-presumed areas are not immune

3. Benin Province (1 priest killed) and Onitsha Province (1 priest killed)
– Lower compared to Kaduna but still a concern, indicating isolated cases of violent abductions.

C. Provinces with priests still missing

1. Kaduna Province (1 priest missing)
– Given its high death toll, the missing priest might be in grave danger or already deceased.

2. Benin Province (1 priest missing)

– Unclear whether this is due to a lack of rescue efforts or kidnappers refusing to negotiate.

3. Owerri Province (2 priests missing)

– Despite its high release rate, two cases remain unresolved, suggesting some kidnappers may be shifting strategies.
D. Less affected provinces (Low Risk)

1. Ibadan Province (2 cases, all released)
2. Calabar Province (4 cases, all released)
3. Lagos Province (0 reported cases)
– Lagos, being Nigeria’s economic hub, appears to be the safest province for Catholic clergy.
– This could be due to better policing, urban security measures, or lower religious militancy in the region.

Key Points

– Kidnappings are widespread, with some provinces experiencing more violent trends (Kaduna, Abuja).
– Most kidnappings are for ransom, but Northern regions (Kaduna) show a higher tendency for priest executions.
– Lagos remains the safest province, likely due to better law enforcement presence.
– Missing priests remain a concern, as their fate is uncertain in some provinces. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 12/3/2025)
Sources:Fides

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Myanmar — The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) convened a hearing on Feb. 27 to discuss the continuing deterioration of religious freedom in Myanmar.

During his opening remarks at the hearing, USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik stated that “over the past four years, Myanmar has sunk into a human rights and humanitarian abyss.”

The Southeast Asian nation holds a Buddhist majority population, and its government has, for many years, pushed a Buddhist nationalist agenda.

On Feb. 1, 2021, the government of Myanmar was seized and overthrown by a military group that established illegal authority in the nation and began attacking religious minorities, including Christians. The group established the State Administration Council (SAC) as its governing body and began attacking religious minorities in the form of airstrikes, killings, and arrests.

The right to freely worship Christ in the Southeast Asian nation has become extremely challenging and, at times, even life-threatening.

Soloveichik pointed out that “on Jan. 7, 2024, the military launched airstrikes in the Sagaing region, killing 17 civilians, including nine children, as they gathered to worship at Saint Peter Baptist Church in Kanan village.” And this is just one of many incidents being reported of Christians being arrested, killed, or otherwise persecuted for their faith.

Christian pastor Thian Lian Sang continues to be held by authorities since his arrest in September 2021 for his “leadership role” as a Baptist pastor, according to the USCIRF. He received a sentence of 23 years in prison in December 2022.

Salai Za Uk Ling, executive director of the human rights group, the Chin Human Rights Association, testified at the hearing that the situation for Christ followers in the country is dire.

“Since the military coup in Burma (Myanmar) four years ago, we have witnessed a systematic campaign of religious persecution, particularly targeting the Christian population in Chin State,” Ling stated. “These actions include the destruction of churches, the unlawful killing and enforced disappearance of pastors, the arrest of religious leaders, and severe restrictions on free worship and assembly.”

The situation for Christians in Myanmar has flown under the radar for many years and remains largely unreported by mainstream media.
Sources:persecution

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Pakistan  – Shahida Bibi is now free to return home to her father and to her Christian faith after a court in Pakistan annulled her forced conversion and marriage to her stepfather’s brother. Bibi was 11 years old when her mother eloped with a Muslim man, who then “gave” Bibi to his brother. Bibi went on to give birth to two children, and the brother contracted Islamic Nikah, or a marriage union, to Bibi when she turned 18 in order to escape prosecution under the anti-child marriage law.

In February 2025, a civil court in Bahawalpur, Pakistan issued a decree in favor of Bibi and ordered that Bibi’s forced marriage be dissolved on all identification documents. Bibi was issued new documents that correctly state her religion as Christianity. ADF International and allied attorneys supported Bibi’s legal defence.

Globally, 100 million girls are at risk of being forced into child marriage over the next decade, according to UNICEF. The threat for girls from religious minorities, particularly in certain parts of Asia and Africa, of also being coerced into changing their religion in connection with a forced marriage is particularly acute. In Pakistan, for example, more than 1,000 girls from religious minorities are forced into conversion and marriage every year.

“Nobody should suffer the horrors of abduction and forced marriage, further being forced to give up their faith,” said Tehmina Arora, Director of Advocacy, Asia for ADF International. “We are grateful that Shahida Bibi has received justice over her captor. Shahida is now free and able to begin the process of healing from this ordeal. These cases are a tremendous violation of these young women’s basic human rights, including their religious freedom.”

ADF International and allied lawyers are engaged in supporting women and girls suffering from forced marriage in light of the recurring issue where women and girls, often Christian, are forced to convert to Islam for their marriage to be validated by a Sharia court.

Girls from minority religions face acute risk globally

Under Sharia law, which permits marriage at the age of puberty, the marriage age is lower than the official marriage age, which varies between 16 and 18 years in different Pakistani states. When girls are forced to convert, their parents often are unable to stop the violation from happening. These women and girls often are fearful for their lives and those of their families, preventing them from denouncing their captors.

“While these forced conversion and marriage abuses happen across the globe, they are especially prevalent in Pakistan. In coordination with our allied lawyers in the country, we are taking every step possible to prevent these situations from occurring. The government has an opportunity to make a difference, and they should start by implementing a uniform age for marriage to prevent these forced kidnappings and marriages from happening in the first place. Every person under international law has the right to freely choose and live out their faith without fear of violence. Every state, including Pakistan, must ensure that their laws and policies are in line with their commitments to protect religious freedom under international law, and that the laws they do have in place to protect girls from these violations are enforced,” Arora continued.

International spotlight on Pakistan

The victory in Shahida Bibi’s case comes as human rights leaders from across the globe are turning their attention to Pakistan’s egregious human rights violations.

In January 2025, officials from the European Union issued a warning to Pakistan regarding their human rights violations, including blasphemy laws, forced conversions, and other targeted persecution against religious minorities. If not addressed, Pakistan’s trade relations with the EU could be jeopardized.

In 2024, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), James Lankford (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a bipartisan resolution that called for the U.S. to “leverage all diplomatic and sanctions tools available to the United States Government to hold religious freedom violators accountable for their actions”. The resolution specifically points to religious freedom violations, including forced marriages and conversions, in Pakistan, among other countries. The resolution was widely supported by religious freedom advocates and organizations from across the globe.
Sources:ADF International

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