Gwoza Christian Community Raises Alarm Over Widespread Church Destruction and Persecution in Borno State
Gwoza Christian Community Raises Alarm Over Widespread Church Destruction and Persecution in Borno State
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
November 4, 2025
Category: Human Rights / Religion / Security
The Gwoza Christian Community Association (GCCA) in Borno State has issued a distressing account detailing the severe persecution, displacement, and destruction suffered by Christians in the area following years of attacks by the Boko Haram insurgency.
In a comprehensive statement titled “The Unspoken Genocide: GCCA Account on Christian Persecution in Gwoza, Borno State,” the association documented the large-scale devastation inflicted upon Christian lives, properties, and places of worship.
According to GCCA, out of 176 churches that once existed across the Gwoza Local Government Area, 148 have been burnt down and now lie in ruins. The organization lamented that many Christian families remain displaced, with countless homes destroyed and communities left in desolation.
Background of the Report
The GCCA statement, circulated through various media outlets and verified by local observers, comes in response to recent claims by a Nigerian senator who reportedly denied the existence of persecution or genocide against Christians in Borno State.
The association refuted that assertion, stating that such comments ignore the “painful reality” faced by thousands of indigenous Christians who have endured systematic attacks, forced displacement, and loss of livelihood over the years.
“We are the Indigenous Christians of Gwoza Local Government Area. What follows is not hearsay nor political rhetoric; it is our testimony — a painful record of loss, displacement, and trauma,” the GCCA declared.
Extent of Damage and Humanitarian Crisis
Before the insurgency, Gwoza reportedly had a thriving Christian population with more than 176 church buildings serving different denominations. Today, GCCA reports that only a fraction remain standing.
In detailed accounts, the group narrated that in Gwoza East and West, entire Christian neighborhoods have been wiped out, with families either killed, abducted, or forced to flee to neighboring towns and IDP camps.
The GCCA further estimated that:
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Over 24 towns and villages were sacked;
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36,596 families were displaced;
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292 people were killed between 2014 and 2023;
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And 148 churches, including Catholic, Anglican, EYN, and Pentecostal congregations, were burnt down or vandalized.
The association described the pattern of destruction as targeted and systematic, arguing that it reflects a deliberate effort to erase the Christian heritage of the Gwoza area.
Appeal for Recognition and Support
The GCCA expressed disappointment that despite years of suffering, many survivors have received little or no government support, while their stories remain largely unreported in national discourse.
The group called on the Federal Government, Borno State authorities, and international humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently in providing relief, security, and long-term rehabilitation for displaced Christian communities.
“This pattern — destruction of churches, removal of Christian families, and official silence — demonstrates what we have always feared: a systematic attempt to erase Christians and their heritage from Gwoza,” the association’s statement read.
Call for Peace and Coexistence
Despite the harrowing experiences, GCCA emphasized that its members remain committed to peace and forgiveness, calling for a multi-faith reconciliation process that will ensure the safety of all communities within Gwoza, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
The association appealed to religious leaders, security agencies, and political authorities to protect vulnerable communities, rebuild destroyed places of worship, and foster unity through justice and mutual respect.
Conclusion
The account from the Gwoza Christian Community Association sheds light on the lingering humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria, where religious persecution and terrorism continue to devastate local populations.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, observers say such testimonies should prompt deeper national reflection on religious freedom, tolerance, and the protection of minority communities across the country.
Source: GCCA Report via Steven Kefas
Author: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Published by: Global Egberi Media International
Tags: Gwoza, Borno State, Boko Haram, GCCA, Christian Persecution, Religious Freedom, Human Rights, Church Destruction, IDPs, Terrorism in Nigeria
📢 Facebook Caption:
💔 Heartbreaking Report: The Gwoza Christian Community Association reveals that 148 of 176 churches have been burnt down in Borno State as Boko Haram’s attacks continue to devastate Christian communities.
Will justice and rebuilding ever come?
🕊️ Read the full neutral report on Global Egberi Media International
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