KICC Funder Pastor Ashimolowo Raises Alarm Over Alleged Genocide Against Christians Across Nigeria Over Decades

 

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre, has painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s security situation, comparing the country’s challenges to a five-headed serpent. Speaking ahead of his upcoming Chris Compassion to the Rural World crusade, he questioned why the Federal Government has been unable to halt terrorism despite more than 15 years of attacks.

Ashimolowo highlighted what he described as systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria, drawing from both personal experiences and historical events. Born and raised in Zaria, Kaduna State, the pastor recounted witnessing the Zaria riots firsthand. He described scenes of violence where people were targeted for their ethnic background, dragged from their homes, and k!lled in broad daylight. “I saw people being k!lled right before my eyes, and soldiers tried to intervene,” he said, recalling the aftermath of Nigeria’s first coup and the words of rioters proclaiming, “Our eyes have opened.”

The pastor further pointed to recurring conflicts in Southern Kaduna, noting that attacks often target land ownership disputes intertwined with religious differences. “People were being hacked, cut like animals because they refused to follow a particular religion,” he stated. He argued these attacks bore all the hallmarks of genocide, emphasizing that deliberate targeting of a group to eradicate it could not be ignored.

Ashimolowo cited high-profile cases of violence against Christians to illustrate his point. The killing of Deborah Samuel, a student whose only remark was that her study platform should not be used for religion, was one such example. He condemned the murder, highlighting that even legal professionals of different faiths attempted to defend the perpetrators, questioning whether justice had truly been served. He also recalled the brutal murder of Evangelist Eunice in Abuja, noting the shocking nature of the attack.

The pastor referenced late Dr. Obadiah Mailafia’s criticisms of Nigeria’s security forces, who often arrive only after attacks have occurred. He mentioned reports of mysterious helicopters supplying weapons to attackers, raising concerns about possible orchestrated plans against Christian communities. Ashimolowo also drew attention to troubling narratives in Northern media claiming the entire country belongs to Shehu Usman Dan Fodio, suggesting some groups may resist gatherings that confront such ideologies.

Schoolgirl kidnappings were another area of grave concern, with victims reportedly subjected to child molestation, trafficking, forced conversion, forced marriage, rape, and murder. Ashimolowo expressed outrage at claims that some perpetrators had been forgiven or even absorbed into national security forces, asking, “How can a man who k!lled and committed all these crimes now qualify to be a defender of the nation?”

The pastor’s comments underline growing frustration among religious leaders and citizens over Nigeria’s inability to provide security for vulnerable communities. His accounts combine historical context, personal testimony, and contemporary incidents, portraying a persistent pattern of violence that has left many questioning the effectiveness of government responses to terrorism and communal attacks.