Three Killed at Prayer Vigil in Nigeria as Attacks on Christians Continue

Gunmen killed three people at a prayer vigil in western Nigeria, adding to a growing toll of violence against Christian communities in the country.

The attack occurred during a nighttime gathering at a local church compound. Armed men opened fire on worshippers, killing three and injuring others before fleeing the scene. Local authorities confirmed the deaths and said an investigation was underway.

Nigeria has seen persistent attacks on Christian communities, particularly in the Middle Belt and parts of the north and west. Terrorist groups and armed herders have targeted churches, prayer meetings, and Christian villages in incidents that human rights organizations say amount to a pattern of religious persecution.

Church leaders in the region condemned the attack and called on the federal government to deploy security forces to protect vulnerable communities. The Christian Association of Nigeria has repeatedly urged authorities to treat attacks on Christians as a national security priority.

International Christian advocacy groups, including Open Doors and Release International, have documented hundreds of deaths of Nigerian Christians in recent years. Nigeria consistently ranks among the countries with the highest rates of Christian persecution in their annual reports.

The Nigerian government has faced criticism for what advocates describe as an inadequate response to the violence. Officials have attributed many attacks to criminal activity rather than religious targeting, a characterization that church leaders dispute.