A Deadly Week for Christians in Jordan, Ethiopia and Nigeria

An alarming wave of violence and persecution against Christians has been recently reported internationally.

Not only has this received far too little media attention, but most major news outlets who have covered it failed to properly acknowledge the religious nature of the violence.

In just the last week, it is estimated that more than one hundred Christians have be killed.

What’s Happened

On Oct. 23, at least nine Jordanian Christians were killed and at least 34 injured in what is being described as a terrorist attack on St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church. A funeral was being held at the church when three gunmen opened fire.

There have also been deadly attacks in Ethiopia. Two separate attacks on Oct. 20 and Oct. 24 took place in the Oromia region where at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed and around 20 were injured. Many homes were also destroyed. It is believed that many of the victims are tied to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

And then there is Nigeria, a country that has likely been the most dangerous for Christians in recent years. Equipping the Persecuted, an organization that supports Nigerian Christian communities facing violent attacks, has recorded 4,216 Christian deaths in Nigeria between January 1 and September 8, 2026. Of course, the actual total is higher now.

A recent attack occurred on Oct. 23 in Taraba State in which at least 62 people were killed, around 50 injured and thousands displaced.

Amnesty International Nigeria posted about the attack on X:

“Apart from killing people wantonly the gunmen also burnt down foodstuff, homes, shops and motorcycles. The community is now littered with dead bodies, some burnt beyond recognition, as families declare many still missing.”

Many attacks are likely not being covered.

What’s Behind the Attacks

While some motives and responsible groups have not yet been fully identified in every attack, there is ample evidence and history to prove that Islamic networks are involved.

Jordan security forces have since arrested the three suspects in the church attack, releasing their names: Hazza Zaidan Mohammed, Meshal Zaidan Mohammed and Ahmad Sami Hussein.

The Director of Public Security Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah said in a press conference this week that the suspects are Islamic extremists. Two of the men are brothers, and the third is a relative through marriage.

Karak, where the attack took place, is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority nation. Christians make up just 2% of the total population in Jordan and Greek Orthodoxy is the largest Christian denomination.

The longstanding nature of Christian persecution in Nigeria provides a clear picture of the groups responsible for the violence. According to Equipping the Persecuted, the main groups involved in Nigeria are Fulani-linked militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).

The Fulani are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group concentrated in northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. While they overwhelmingly target Christians, non-Fulani Muslims have also been killed.

As they point out in their September 18 report, despite common misconceptions, Fulani militants are actually doing more of the killing than Boko Haram and ISIS related groups. They report that in both 2025 and 2026 so far,

“Fulani-linked actors accounted for 5,718 recorded fatalities, compared with 2,147 fatalities attributed to Boko Haram and ISWAP combined.”

As the Daily Citizen previously reported, the U.S. helped facilitate the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and other senior ISIS leaders in May 2026. While this was tremendous for the safety and well-being of Nigerian Christians, the U.S. should consider efforts against the more destructive Fulani militant groups.

Responsibility for the attacks in Ethiopia remains uncertain. Hailu Adugna, spokesperson for the Oromia regional government, blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) for the killings, but those claims remain unverified.

The OLA is an armed rebel group active in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region that primarily opposes the Ethiopian government, which has designated it a terrorist organization. There is no evidence linking the group to Islam; rather, it is generally described as an ethnic nationalist movement.

Spiritual Implications

As Christians, we know that this battle is ultimately spiritual. As the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

While governments, law enforcement and humanitarian organizations all have important roles to play, we must also view these efforts through the lens of spiritual reality.

The suffering and destruction are catastrophic, but we must also remember the eternal hope that sustains persecuted Christians, as promised in God’s Word:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

But this does not mean that we fail to fight for their safety, dignity and justice. Please pray for persecuted Christians around the globe, that God would strengthen them, give them hope through His Word and help them stand firm in the faith.

There are many global ministries that have great resources, statistics and specific prayer requests about ongoing Christian persecution including  Global Christian Relief, Equipping the Persecuted, Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors US.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, emphasis ours.)

Related articles and resources:

U.S. Military Fights to Protect Christians in Nigeria

We Cannot Ignore the Plight of Nigerian Christians Being Slaughtered By Islamic Terrorists

How Should Christians Respond to Thousands of Muslims Praying in Washington Square Park?

Young Americans Increasingly Support Sharia Law, Poll Finds