The Islamic State of West Africa Province has intensified attacks on Christian communities in northeastern Nigeria, burning down a village in Adamawa State and issuing threats against all Christians in the country. Security expert Brant Philip revealed the attack Thursday after ISWAP released images and a statement declaring that Christians could only “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to the terrorist group. The assault on the Christian village represents an escalation in ISWAP’s campaign of violence against religious minorities in the region.
The attack is believed to be retaliation for recent joint military operations by Nigerian and United States forces against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto State. Five days before the Adamawa assault, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto.
Philip stated that ISWAP “released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to ‘spare their blood’ by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP.” The continued violence underscores ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast despite military efforts to combat terrorist organizations operating in the region.