Violence grips northern Nigeria, yet dozens of Christians are willing to go there
By Katie O'Malley | October 5, 2026
Nigeria (MNN) — A new report from Equipping The Persecuted looks at the crisis factors behind the ongoing killings of Christians in Nigeria.
Between January 1 and September 8 of this year, the group verified that at least 4,216 Christians were killed. That comes to nearly 17 people per day, or one every 86 minutes.
Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says that Fulani militants have become the leading source of violence.
“It’s the largest unreached nomadic people group in the world,” says Kelley. “They are the ones [who] have tremendous influence as a people across Nigeria and these other parts of Africa.”
How should the Body of Christ respond? Kelley says to support local missionaries ready to reach northern Nigeria.
“Nigeria has more Christians in it than any country in the entire continent of Africa. Over 100 million Christians,” he says.
“If you went right in the middle of Nigeria and [divided] it, you would find all of the Christians, for the most part, are in the south. Whereas in the north, where all of these horrific stories of persecution and attacks and kidnappings are taking place in the north, which is almost exclusively Muslim, to the tune of 100 million.”
Kelley recently returned from a trip to visit partners in northern Nigeria. He says there are dozens and dozens of Nigerian believers ready to go to the north with the hope of Christ.
“They just need a motorcycle. They need resources so they can do training. They need our solar-powered audio Bible that we distribute in dozens of Nigerian languages,” says Kelley. “They need resources, but they are willing to go.”
Unknown Nations has been involved in northern Nigeria’s challenges for 25 years. Join them in praying over Muslim people groups like the Fulani, Hausa, and Kanuri.
“I would challenge people to change their vocabulary when they pray,” says Kelley. He says to name specific people groups in our prayers rather than pray for Nigeria in general terms.
Prayer is the first way to partner with Unknown Nations’ network in the spiritual battle. Financial support will also help to press this mission forward.
“Coming alongside the local indigenous work that God is doing among Nigerians is really the answer to this horrible issue,” says Kelley. “We need to be strategic in our prayers and in our mobilization of resources.”
Header image: These disciples of Christ are passionately sharing God’s Word in northeastern Nigeria (Photo from 2022, caption courtesy of Unknown Nations)
Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/violence-grips-northern-nigeria-yet-dozens-of-christians-are-willing-to-go-there/