There is “extreme persecution” in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East, says Open Doors. Elsewhere, worrying trends are observed in key geopolitical actors such as India, Saudi Arabia and China.

Unity, integrity, and long-term commitment is what Africa needs from evangelical Christians, says Goodwill Shana from Zimbabwe.

Fulani extremists attacked several towns, burning more than 100 houses. 53 Christians were kidnapped and are still held captive.

Islamic militants threaten to forcibly marry kidnapped women.

A bomb and gun attack left more than 70 victims during a mass in the southwest of the country.

Churches and shops damaged as Muslims demand release of suspected killers of Christian university student.

Afghanistan is new at the top of the Open Doors WWL 2022. Discover the full list.

The Islamic country replaces North Korea at the top of the World Watch List after 20 years. One in seven Christians worldwide suffers persecution, says Open Doors.

The Reverend Dauda Bature of the First Evangelical Church Winning All in Kaduna state, was kidnapped by armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen in November while working on his farm.

It was the second attack on Christians in the area in one week. Fulani herdsmen killed six Christians from one family and other four were killed in four homes.

At least eight more Christians slain in October. “Christians are being killed, and the government exhibits carelessness”, said evangelical leaders in Kaduna.

The mob burnt down the family home, the premises of the New Life church where he was a pastor, and the school.

Over 30 still remain in captivity. According to UNICEF, at least 1,000 children and youth have been adbucted in Nigeria in the last nine months.

Muslim Fulanis killed 70 Christians, displaced 30,000 and burned 500 homes in attacks on villages in Miango District the first three weeks of August.

The president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention hopes that “as we cry out to Almighty God, our students will be returned”. Several prayer meetings were organised across the country.

The school belongs to Bethel Baptist Church in Kaduna. Nigeria led the world in number of kidnapped Christians last year with 990.

An evangelical pastor says terrorists roam freely in presence of security personnel. Churches affected by herdsmen attacks in the area include Baptists, Pentecostals, Anglicans, and Catholics.

Human rights groups are pointing to the country, and Christians are one of the most affected groups. We interview James Akinyele, Secretary General of the Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom annual report denounces that “the pandemic fostered misinformation targeting religious minorities”.

“Do we deserve to live and die like this in our own country?”, a relative of a killed Christian student asks. Nigeria led the world in number of kidnapped Christians last year with 990.

Muslim Fulani herdsmen suspected in the kidnapping of eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

The pastor of the the Church of Brethren was abducted in an Islamic terrorist attack on Christmas Eve and taken captive by Islamic extremist militants.

“We thought Covid-19 was going to minimize the effect of persecution, but it has been the opposite. Persecution has increased”, says the director of Open Doors Spain. The organisation releases its annual World Watch List.

Islamic extremist groups have kidnapped, killed and executed Christians throughout the country. Many villages have been attacked and churches destroyed.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the abduction through an audio message. Gunmen on motorcycles attacked a state school in North West Nigeria.