Adamawa State, Nigeria — The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has launched a new wave of deadly attacks on Christian communities in northeastern Nigeria, burning villages, killing civilians and issuing chilling threats that Christians must convert to Islam, pay a jizyah tax, or face death.
In the latest assault, militants penetrated Higa village in Hong Local Government Area late last month, setting fire to homes and issuing a statement declaring all Christians in Nigeria “legitimate targets.” The group’s communiqués, shared on social media by security analyst Brant Philip, said residents could “spare their blood” by embracing Islam or paying the jizyah tax imposed by ISWAP — a declaration that rights observers condemned as targeted religious persecution.
The attack on Higa followed a series of coordinated strikes on neighbouring Christian communities — including Mondag and Timboa villages in Adamawa — over the span of December 26–31, 2025. According to multiple reports, ISWAP fighters killed at least 15 villagers, destroyed more than 200 homes, looted property and abducted residents during these raids.
Witnesses and analysts say the recent offensive may be retaliation for joint U.S.–Nigeria military airstrikes on ISWAP-linked terrorist camps in Sokoto State, carried out at the end of December 2025. U.S. and Nigerian forces struck ISIS affiliate positions to disrupt foreign fighters and extremist operations in the region.
The terror group’s renewed campaign of violence has drawn widespread international condemnation. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad denounced the militants’ actions, stating unequivocally that “these terrorists are not Muslims” and their campaign of intimidation violates the core Islamic principle that “there is no compulsion in religion.” He emphasised that peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims is an established tenet of Islamic teaching.
In addition, U.S. lawmakers have publicly criticised ISWAP’s threats as clear religious persecution. Representative Riley M. Moore called the threats against Nigerian Christians “unmistakable” evidence that Christians are being targeted for their faith and applauded ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian authorities to combat extremist threats.
Security conditions in northeastern Nigeria remain volatile, with ISWAP — a splinter faction of Boko Haram aligned with ISIS — continuing to exploit longstanding instability in the region. The group has been responsible for repeated attacks on civilian populations, infrastructure and security forces over the past decade, deepening humanitarian concerns and prompting calls for increased protection of vulnerable communities.
Local officials have acknowledged that police and military forces failed to prevent the successive attacks on Higa, Mondag and Timboa, underscoring persistent security gaps that insurgents continue to exploit.
The latest violence comes amid rising fears among Christian populations in Nigeria’s northeast, spurring civil society groups and foreign governments to advocate for urgent action to safeguard religious freedom and civilian lives in one of West Africa’s most troubled regions.
