Attacks in Niger Christian communities attempt to reduce their population – Group

Christian leaders in Niger State have estimated the Christian population of the state at 3.42 million, representing 45.7 per cent of the projected population, while citing insecurity and displacement as factors that have altered the distribution of Christian communities.

The leaders, under the Christians Statistics Committee and Nigeria Christian Youths in Politics, made the position known at a press conference in Minna on Sunday.

The Chairman of the committee, Deacon Marcus Salka, who addressed journalists alongside other executives, including the secretary, said the group was seeking to correct what it described as inaccurate projections of the Christian population, particularly those circulating on social media.

According to him, Nigeria’s last official population census did not include religious affiliation, making the 45.7 per cent figure an estimate based on available demographic projections, surveys and research.

Salka disclosed that the estimate was derived from the 2025 projected population of 7,478,417 for Niger State, putting the Christian population at approximately 3,417,636.

He argued that the size of the Christian population should not be judged by the level of participation in active politics.

“That some Christians do not participate in active politics does not mean we do not have the number. Christians make up a significant population in Niger State,” he insisted.

Salka also linked changes in the distribution of Christian communities to prolonged insecurity in parts of the state.

The group chairman specifically mentioned Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi and Magama, alleging that attacks had led to deaths and displacement of residents from communities with significant Christian populations.

He alleged that some Christians had been forced to relocate while others were killed, describing the development as a factor that had affected the demographic distribution of Christians.

“Following the incessant insecurity in Christian-dominated local government areas, especially Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi, Magama and others, majority of our people were killed, others relocated,” he said. 

He further alleged that the displacement was part of a deliberate attempt to reduce the Christian population in affected communities.

The group said, despite the displacement, Christians remained present across both rural and urban communities in the state.

Population figures

Salka further cited the 2006 census population of 3,950,249 for Niger State, comprising 2,032,725 males and 1,917,524 females.

He said the population had increased substantially, citing the 2025 state projection of 7,478,417, comprising 3,790,197 males and 3,688,220 females.

The chairman stated that Christians were spread across the state’s 25 local government areas and represented by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Evangelical and African Instituted churches, among others.

The Christian blocs identified by the group included the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, TEKAN and ECWA-related fellowships.

Salka said the group’s estimate put Christians at 45.7 per cent, compared with approximately 46.1 per cent and 8.2 per cent for the other two major religious categories.

He stressed that the figure was an estimate and not a religious breakdown from an official national census.

The group said it would continue to challenge what it considers inaccurate representations of the Christian population in Niger State.

“We cannot, and we will never keep quiet to allow those who do not know our population to project or assume figures for us for selfish interests,” Salka further added.