Michael Knowles Addresses the Severe Persecution of Christians in Nigeria on The Michael Knowles Show

Top Points

• Christians in Nigeria are facing severe and escalating persecution: Michael Knowles highlights widespread violence such as church burnings, village attacks, kidnappings, and targeted killings in Christian-majority regions.

• The international community has responded weakly to the crisis: Knowles argues that global leaders, media outlets, and human-rights institutions have not given the issue the urgency it deserves, often downplaying the religious nature of the attacks.

• Nigeria’s internal instability exacerbates the danger, leaving Christians without adequate protection: While acknowledging broader security challenges, Knowles stresses that many attacks are explicitly targeting Christians and that increased advocacy and awareness are vital.

Full Report:

On a recent episode of The Michael Knowles Show, commentator Michael Knowles dedicated significant time to discussing the escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria, calling it one of the gravest but least acknowledged human-rights crises in the world today. Knowles argued that violence against Christian communities in several Nigerian states has reached catastrophic levels, yet receives comparatively little international coverage or diplomatic attention.

Knowles Highlights Widespread Violence Against Christian Communities

Knowles opened the segment by outlining the alarming scale of violence reported in regions such as Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other states where Christian populations are heavily concentrated. He pointed to reports documenting church burnings, village raids, kidnappings, and targeted killings carried out by extremist or militant groups.

According to Knowles, these attacks follow a pattern that has persisted for years but has recently intensified. He argued that Nigeria’s Christian communities face both extremist threats and inadequate protection from local authorities, creating conditions in which violence can occur with little deterrence.

He emphasized that many organizations focused on religious freedom have warned that parts of Nigeria have become among the most dangerous regions globally for Christians.

The International Community’s Limited Response

A major theme of Knowles’ commentary was the perceived lack of urgency from the international community. He noted that the scale of the violence would typically prompt widespread media coverage if directed at other groups or occurring in different parts of the world.

Knowles argued that Western governments and human-rights institutions have been slow to classify these attacks as acts of religious persecution, often framing them instead as generic conflict or clashes. In his view, this framing downplays the explicitly targeted nature of the violence and delays critical interventions.

He expressed frustration that global media outlets often overlook the issue entirely, leaving many of the affected communities without the international advocate network necessary to elevate their plight.

Nigeria’s Internal Challenges and the Struggle for Security

Knowles also discussed the complex internal challenges Nigeria faces, including regional instability, ethnic tension, and limited rural security infrastructure. While acknowledging these broader factors, he maintained that they do not diminish the fact that many of the victims are attacked specifically because of their Christian identity.

He argued that Nigeria’s government must strengthen security efforts in vulnerable regions, citing local church leaders and international watchdog groups who have made similar appeals.

A Call for Greater Awareness and Advocacy

Throughout the episode, Knowles urged his audience to pay closer attention to the crisis and to support organizations working to protect religious minorities abroad. He emphasized that advocacy and awareness play an essential role in pressuring governments to act, both in Nigeria and internationally.

Knowles concluded by warning that unless global leaders and civil-society groups take the issue seriously, Nigeria’s Christian communities will continue to face violence without adequate support or protection.

For listeners, the episode served as a sobering overview of an ongoing humanitarian crisis and a call to recognize the severity of the persecution affecting millions of Christians in one of Africa’s most populous nations.

References

• The Michael Knowles Show. (2025, May 20). Michael Knowles discusses escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.dailywire.com

• Reuters. (2025, May 18). Reports show rising violence against Christian communities in central and northern Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com

• Fox News. (2025, May 17). Human-rights groups warn Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places for Christians. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com

• Wall Street Journal. (2025, May 15). Nigerian security challenges intensify as rural communities face extremist threats. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com

• Newsmax. (2025, May 13). International leaders urged to respond to targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.newsmax.com