A massive national security communication system in Nigeria, funded by foreign loans, remains largely non-functional over a decade after its creation. This collapse has severely hindered police coordination, leading to delayed emergency responses and increased vulnerability for civilians, particularly Christian communities in specific regions. While armed groups utilize encrypted communications, security forces often arrive too late or not at all. This governance failure has forced residents to organize self-defense groups. International observers, including U.S. officials, have criticized the lack of accountability and protection, noting that the system's breakdown emboldens terrorist and militia attacks across the country.
Christians in Nigeria face severe danger, with violence reported in northern regions. A pastor’s family was killed by militia, and churches were burned in one area. In another region, hundreds were rescued from extremist groups. Many displaced believers now live in camps, enduring hardship while maintaining their faith. Aid organizations support those fleeing violence. These events highlight ongoing threats and the resilience of the Christian community in the country.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that a Muslim man was assaulted by approximately 15 Hindu pilgrims in a city in Uttar Pradesh. The group stopped his car on a highway, accusing him of damaging their ritual pots. They dragged him from the vehicle, smashed the windows, and pursued him to a roadside restaurant. Police were initially attacked but later filed a report. The report noted no evidence of damage to the pots. The victim released a video denying the accusation and demanding compensation. The CSW founder condemned the attack as emblematic of religious intolerance in India.
In India's Odisha state, a group of Hindu nationalists attacked a Christian priest on January 4. The attackers, allegedly linked to Bajrang Dal, accused him of forced conversion and subjected him to severe abuse. They beat him, paraded him through the village, and forced him to eat cow dung and drink sewage at a Hindu temple. Police arrested nine suspects but also filed a case against the priest. The incident sparked widespread condemnation from political and religious leaders, who criticized the violence and hate speech. The priest and his family have been moved to a safe location.
A Christian man in a Pakistani city suffered severe burns after a neighbor doused him with petrol and set him on fire. The attack followed a minor verbal dispute, according to the victim's attorney. Police arrested the assailant under attempted murder charges. The lawyer plans to add terrorism-related charges once medical reports are finalized. Human rights advocates cite this incident as part of broader violence against Pakistan’s Christian minority, noting systemic discrimination and weak law enforcement. The country ranks high on the World Watch List for Christian persecution, highlighting the severe risks faced by believers in the region.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by R. B. Calé on UnsplashPersecuted church
Residents in a district of Benue State, Nigeria, are protesting the continued presence of armed Fulani militias despite a formal exit order. Local authorities revoked a peace agreement following security meetings, yet militia members remain, allegedly attacking communities and destroying farmlands. A local youth council petitioned police, accusing security agencies of arresting locals while allowing armed groups to operate freely. This inaction has caused widespread fear and displacement in the predominantly Christian region, which has suffered years of violent conflict. The situation highlights ongoing security failures and the vulnerability of believers in this area.
A pastor in a village in Odisha, India, was severely beaten by a mob. The attackers paraded him barefoot on thorns and forced him to bow before a Hindu deity. Police arrived late and initially refused to register a formal complaint, instead pressuring the victim to admit to illegal conversions. His wife waited hours at a local station while officers delayed intervention. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding mob violence against Christians and alleged police inaction in the region.
Militants recently attacked a village in Burkina Faso, killing four men and burning homes and vehicles. Two pastors survived the assault but lost their property. The Voice of the Martyrs reported that Christian communities in the region face regular violence from Islamist rebel groups seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate. A frontline worker urged prayers for the victims and those displaced by the destruction. This incident highlights the ongoing security crisis affecting Christians in the country.
On January 6 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, the Christian New Year celebration was disrupted by the radical organization PASS. The group protested a Christian Spiritual Revival Service led by Pastor Stephen Tong, claiming it aimed to convert Muslims. Despite a prior letter of rejection circulated on December 29, 2025, the church proceeded with the service. According to the report, demonstrators blocked roads and used loudspeakers to create a tense atmosphere. The congregation continued worshiping orderly despite the intimidation. The outlet attributes these details to its reporting on the incident.
Persecution Relief reports that Christian believers in a district in Jharkhand, India, are facing severe threats, including crop destruction and intimidation. Families face social boycott and eviction risks. In a positive development, a pastor from Madhya Pradesh was released after 77 days in jail. Meanwhile, multiple court hearings are scheduled across Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and other regions for various pastors and lay believers charged under freedom of religion laws. The outlet urges continued prayer for these individuals and their legal cases.
A pastor in a village in Odisha, India, was severely assaulted by a mob linked to a Hindu nationalist group. Accused of forced conversions, he was beaten, paraded, and forced to consume cow dung and drink sewer water. Police detained several suspects, while a counter-complaint was filed against the pastor. The incident drew widespread condemnation from political leaders and religious groups, who criticized the violence as a violation of constitutional rights. Following the attack, the pastor and his family were relocated to a secret shelter for safety. Public figures condemned the act, highlighting the ongoing persecution of Christians in the region.
Persecution Relief reported multiple incidents of Christian persecution across India. In Uttar Pradesh, seven individuals face charges under the state's religious conversion law. In Telangana, a pastor and his wife were assaulted during a disrupted worship service, requiring medical treatment. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, former persecutors reportedly sought prayers and converted to Christianity after previous expulsions. Legal updates include bail granted to a pastor in Uttar Pradesh and scheduled hearings for pastors in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, three people, including a pastor, were detained in Bihar for alleged conversion attempts.
Father Milan Priyadarshana was hospitalized in Negombo, Sri Lanka, after being assaulted by police officers at a station in the Western Province on January 24. The incident occurred while the priest was returning from a church service. Church authorities condemned the attack and announced plans to file a fundamental rights petition to seek accountability for the six officers involved. The suspects were remanded by a magistrate’s court. The Catholic Church and other groups are pursuing legal action, citing concerns over police conduct and the need for constitutional protections for the clergy member.
Pastor Kevin Kenney of Minneapolis reports that residents are afraid to leave their homes following the shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by an ICE agent. According to the outlet, church attendance in Latino communities has dropped significantly, with many people relying on food deliveries. This incident marks the second death linked to border police in two weeks, following the killing of Renée Good. In response, the Archdiocese has organized food drives and interfaith gatherings to support those affected. Kenney emphasizes the solidarity shown by locals and international supporters, stating that the situation is shocking and that the church remains committed to standing with the community during this time of anxiety and grief.
On January 24, Israeli settlers attacked a Christian family in Birzeit, West Bank, injuring a 62-year-old woman with a fractured skull. According to residents, the violence began when settlers grazed livestock on private land and destroyed crops. The family claims they acted in self-defense after being stoned. However, Israeli soldiers arrested three male family members, including the son of a Lutheran school teacher, while releasing one. Christian leaders and human rights coordinators condemn the incident as part of a broader pattern of settler violence aimed at displacing Palestinians. The injured woman remains in intensive care.
On January 24, Israeli settlers attacked a Christian family in Birzeit, near Ramallah, in the West Bank. The assault left Najat Jadallah Emeid with a skull fracture and hospitalized. Her sons, Nafiz and Eid Emeid, also suffered injuries while defending their home. According to the family, Israeli soldiers arrested Eid, Nafiz, and two cousins instead of the attackers. Wadie Abunassar of the Christian Forum for Holy Land condemned the violence and the arrests. UN data shows a rise in settler attacks in the region, with hundreds of families displaced. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and violence against Palestinian Christians.
Leaders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt have condemned security agencies for inadequate responses to attacks on Christian communities. They cite delayed interventions and operational weaknesses despite early warnings. The violence, attributed to armed militias, has caused mass killings and displacement in various states. Officials accuse authorities of indifference, noting that attackers often retreat without resistance. Recent incidents include the abduction of worshippers and killings in affected areas. While critics demand decisive action and better intelligence, the military states it is conducting sustained operations to protect citizens and recover hostages.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church stated that recent Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities are deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. He described the goal as destroying the energy sector to freeze the population, calling these actions crimes against humanity. The attacks have left approximately 1.2 million homes without electricity during harsh winter conditions. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski echoed these concerns, labeling the strategy as genocide due to the deadly risks posed by subzero temperatures. Meanwhile, Cardinal Grzegorz Rys of Kraków announced that church collections will support Ukrainian relief efforts as the country faces its worst energy crisis since the invasion began.
During India's Republic Day celebrations, reports surfaced of violence against Christians in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. In a village in Chhattisgarh, local groups beat and displaced believers. In a city in Uttar Pradesh, a man was jailed under state conversion laws, while pastors were detained in separate locations. Another pastor faced police scrutiny in a different district. Persecution Relief reported these incidents, urging prayer for the affected believers and the preservation of constitutional rights amid rising tensions.
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
