On the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

B100354/2026

European Parliament resolution on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

(2026/2800(RSP))

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Nigeria,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, on 21 to 22 June 2026, armed assailants attacked Kawel village in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, killing 23 people; the victims included Reverend Markus Azi of the Church of Christ in Nations and an army officer;

B. whereas the attack forms part of killings, abductions, forced displacement, property destruction and occupation of Christian farming communities in Plateau State and Nigeria’s Middle Belt; whereas the targeting of Christian villages, churches, clergy and traditional leaders demonstrates Islamist persecution aimed at terrorising and uprooting Christians from their lands;

C. whereas attacks, the deliberate selection of Christian victims, the destruction and seizure of their communities and impunity reveal a campaign bearing the hallmarks of a genocide; whereas religious leaders and civil-society organisations warn that Christians in parts of Nigeria face an escalating threat of mass atrocities and destruction as a religious community;

D. whereas Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province and allied Islamist terrorist networks have carried out killings, kidnappings and attacks against civilians and Christian communities; whereas the United States and Nigeria have intensified operations against such groups, reportedly eliminating commanders, fighters and infrastructure;

E. whereas the rights to life, human dignity, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and peaceful assembly and association are guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution and human-rights instruments;

Strongly condemns the attack on Kawel village and the reported killing of 23 people, including patients, healthcare personnel, clergy and civilians; expresses condolences to the victims’ families, the Church of Christ in Nations and affected Christian communities;

Declares that the systematic targeting of Christian communities in Plateau State and Nigeria’s Middle Belt constitutes Islamist persecution and displays genocidal characteristics; calls on Nigeria and the international community to recognise the religious motivation of this campaign;

Calls for independent investigations into the Kawel attack and allegations that nearby security forces failed to respond; demands the prosecution of perpetrators, commanders, financiers and accomplices and publication of the findings;

Underlines Nigeria’s responsibility to protect Christian communities and calls for reinforced security, early-warning mechanisms and rapid-response capabilities;

Welcomes and commends United States–Nigeria operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other ISIS-linked organisations and calls for intensified action against their leadership, financing, weapons networks and infrastructure;

Urges Nigeria to uphold freedom of religion or belief and ensure that no federal or state law, policy or practice discriminates against Christians or other religious minorities;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to recognise and raise the Islamist persecution of Christians and risk of genocide in dialogue with Nigeria; call the Europe's special envoy for freedom of expression, Mairead McGuinness to take a special commitment against the persecution of Christians.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to Nigerian, United States, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations and relevant international authorities.