On the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

B100355/2026

European Parliament resolution on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

(2026/2800(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Christians are reported to be the most persecuted religious group globally and the failure to acknowledge and address this undermines credibility of international efforts to protect freedom of religion or belief;

whereas on the night of 22-23 June 2026, armed Fulani militants reportedly affiliated with highly violent Islamist organisations attacked the predominantly Christian village of Kawel in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, deliberately targeting Christian civilians and church leaders; whereas the attack killed at least 28 Christians, including Pastor Markus Nyam of the Church of Christ in Nations and other members of his congregation, injured many others, and destroyed homes and community buildings by fire;

whereas telecommunications were reportedly disrupted during the attack, preventing residents from requesting assistance; whereas troops from Operation Enduring Peace, stationed approximately one mile away, allegedly failed to respond to distress calls and arrived only after the attack had ended;

whereas, despite repeated warnings from local communities, churches and civil society organisations, the Nigerian authorities have been unable to prevent such attacks or to provide adequate protection to vulnerable Christian populations, to ensure timely and effective intervention, or to carry out thorough investigations and prosecutions;

whereas the Kawel massacre in part of a broader pattern of repeated deadly attacks affecting communities of different faiths and ethnicities across Plateau State, Benue State and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt;

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the massacre of Christians in Kawel village and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the Christian communities of Plateau State and all those affected by this horrific attack;

Denounces the ongoing violence in parts of Nigeria, which affects many communities, including Christians, and condemns the repeated attacks, killings, kidnappings, forced displacement and destruction of churches and Christian communities;

Calls on the Nigerian Federal Government to launch an independent investigation into the Kawel massacre, to identify and prosecute those responsible and to ensure justice for the victims;

Urges the Nigerian authorities to strengthen security and ensure effective protection for Christian and other vulnerable communities at risk of repeated attacks;

Supports efforts to set-up a meaningful and inclusive national dialogue to tackle the ongoing violence across multiple regions and underlines the need to address the socio-economic factors that are linked to these attacks;

Calls on the Nigerian authorities to uphold freedom of religion or belief, guarantee equal protection of all citizens, and ensure that Christians are able to worship freely and safely without fear of violence or intimidation;

Calls for increased EU support for victims of religious persecution and calls to prioritise the protection of freedom of religion or belief in the EU’s political dialogue with Nigeria;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, and the Government and Parliament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.