by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - A major Christian advocacy group has told the Nigerian government and the international community that they can no longer do anything as Christians continue to be slaughtered in their thousands by Islamic militants in Nigeria, Christian Today (CT) reports.
In a scorching new report that echoes the frustration of rights groups who have repeatedly warned of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the Nigerian government must do “far more to counter the alarming surge in violence" by Islamist terrorists against Christians, CT reports.
The CSW report has been sent by Roman Catholic peer Lord Alton to the UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion, Fiona Bruce MP, and Africa Minister Vicky Ford for consideration, CT said.
The report highlights the besieged state of Kaduna, where much of the murder, kidnapping, and displacement has taken place, CT said. CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas explains in the report that the situation in Kaduna requires a state of emergency.
"To all intents and purposes, Kaduna state is under a comprehensive siege by a significant number of armed non-state actors who appear to be coordinating their activities, heightening the vulnerability of civilians. Residents cannot travel safely by road, air or train, and are not even safe in their own homes,’ he said.
The authorities must "prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities," Thomas added. "This inaction cannot continue, and the international community, in particular, must increase efforts to hold the Nigerian government to account for its failure to protect citizens, as well offering Nigeria every possible assistance to combat the terrorist threats," he stated.
Nigeria ranked number one in the world last year for the murder and kidnapping of Christians by Islamic terrorists.