List of Attacks on Christians in Nigeria

The list highlights some of the most widely noticed attacks on Christians, churches, Christian villages, clergy, or Christian communities.

YearLocationAttackReported Impact
1980KanoMaitatsine uprisingThousands killed; churches destroyed.
1982KadunaMaitatsine violenceDozens of Christians killed.
1982KanoSabon Gari riotsMultiple churches burned.
1982MaiduguriMaitatsine violenceOver 100 Christians killed.
1984Jimeta-YolaMaitatsine attacksHundreds of Christians killed.
1985Gombe areaMaitatsine uprisingMore than 100 Christians killed.
1987KafanchanReligious riotsMore than 150 churches burned.
1987KadunaRiots spread from KafanchanChristian communities attacked.
1987ZariaReligious violenceChurches destroyed.
1987KatsinaReligious riotsChristian casualties reported.
1991KanoReinhard Bonnke riotChurches burned and Christians killed.
1992Zangon KatafEthno-religious conflictHundreds killed.
1994KanoReligious disturbancesChristian properties attacked.
2000KadunaSharia riotsMore than 2,000 killed; many Christians among victims.
2001JosSectarian violenceHundreds killed.
2002KadunaMiss World riotsMore than 200 killed; churches burned.
2004YelwaYelwa massacreMore than 75 Christians killed.
2004KanoReligious violenceChurches attacked.
2008JosPost-election violenceHundreds killed.
2009Maiduguri regionBeginning of Boko Haram insurgencyChurches and Christians increasingly targeted.
2010JosChristmas Eve bombingsScores killed.
2011MadallaSt. Theresa Catholic Church bombingAbout 40 killed.
2011JosChristmas attacksChurches bombed and attacked.
2011DamaturuChurch attacksMultiple churches destroyed.
2012JosCOCIN Headquarters bombingWorshippers killed.
2012JosSt. Finbarr’s Catholic Church bombing14 killed.
2012KadunaJaji Military Church bombing11 killed, dozens injured.
2012KadunaMultiple Sunday church bombingsMany casualties.
2013Borno StateBoko Haram village attacksNumerous churches burned.
2013Yobe StateChurch massacresChristians killed during worship.
2014GwozaGwoza massacreUp to 500 civilians killed.
2014KwadaChurch attacksDozens killed; churches burned.
2014KautikariChurch attacksChurches destroyed and worshippers killed.
2014Chibok areaChristian villages overrunMass displacement.
2015YelwataYelwata massacre100–200 killed.
2015Southern KadunaVillage attacksChristian communities devastated.
2016GoskaSouthern Kaduna massacreMany Christians killed.
2016NinteSouthern Kaduna attacksVillage burned and residents killed.
2017Ozubulu, AnambraCatholic Church shooting12 worshippers killed.
2018Barkin Ladi, PlateauCommunity massacresMore than 100 killed.
2018Riyom, PlateauAttacks on Christian villagesMultiple fatalities.
2019Kajuru, KadunaCommunity attacksScores killed.
2020Gora GanSouthern Kaduna killingsChristian villagers killed.
2021Atyap communitiesAttacks in KadunaVillages attacked and displaced.
2022Owo, OndoSt. Francis Xavier Catholic Church massacre41–80 killed.
2023Mangu, PlateauChristian community attacksDozens killed, churches burned.
2023Barkin Ladi, PlateauChristmas attacksMore than 100 killed in affected communities.
2024Bokkos, PlateauChristmas-season attacksChristian villages attacked.
2025Chibok areaChristian villages attackedThousands displaced; churches burned.
2025Kaduna churchesMass abduction of worshippersMore than 160 abducted.
2025Benue and Plateau communitiesLarge-scale attacks on Christian farming communitiesHundreds reportedly killed or displaced.

Some of the Deadliest Among These

The attacks generally regarded as among the deadliest against Christian communities include:

  1. Kano Maitatsine uprising (1980) — thousands killed.
  2. Kaduna Sharia riots (2000) — over 2,000 deaths in broader Christian-Muslim violence.
  3. Gwoza massacre (2014) — up to 500 deaths.
  4. Yelwata massacre (2025) — 100–200 deaths.
  5. Barkin Ladi and Plateau massacres (2018) — over 100 deaths.
  6. Plateau Christmas attacks (2023) — over 100 deaths.
  7. Owo Catholic Church massacre (2022) — 41–80 deaths.
  8. Madalla Christmas bombing (2011) — about 40 deaths.
List of Attacks on Christians in Nigeria

This list focuses on the most notable incidents. Thousands of other attacks on churches, pastors, Christian villages, seminaries, and worshippers have also been documented across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, and other states.