NEWS PROVIDED BY
Christian Defense Coalition
Jan. 6, 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — The vigil will be on Wednesday, January 7 at 11:00 at the Embassy of Nigeria which is located at 3519 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008.
In Nigeria, up to 100,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009. At least 7,000 Christians were killed in 2025, which is an average of 35 deaths each day. 19,000 churches have been destroyed.
Congressman Riley Moore states:
“For far too long, the world has turned a blind eye to the suffering of innocent Christians. Entire villages have been destroyed, churches burned, pastors tortured and families torn apart. This grave suffering must end now.
“The United States must make it clear that we will not tolerate the slaughter of Christians or the persecution of anyone for their belief in Jesus.”
Alexei Laushkin, Founder of Kingdom Mission Society, comments:
“Christians in Nigeria face some of the most severe persecution in the world. They are explicitly targeted and killed for their faith. Thanks to the Trump administration the Nigerian government is taking some steps to address this crisis. As we gather to pray we urge that more be done provide for the safety of our brothers and sisters.”
Katie Mahoney, Stanton Public Policy Center spokesperson, comments:
“Being a Christian woman and girl in Nigeria poses additionally high risks of sexual violence and kidnapping with targeted attacks by Islamic militant groups including Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), who specifically go after the Christian women. This includes forced marriages, human trafficking, sexual violence and ongoing trauma after sexual attacks.
“Stanton Public Policy Center prays and stands in solidarity with our Christian sisters in Nigeria and calls upon the Nigerian government to ensure Christian women and girls are protected from this kind of persecution and sexual violence.”
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, shares:
“Every year, thousands of Nigerian Christians are persecuted, brutalized and murdered for their faith in Christ. Thousands of churches have been burned to the ground, villages destroyed and Christian children kidnapped and sexually abused. The American church, our political leaders and the political leaders of Nigeria cannot remain silent or different regarding this violence.
“We are gathering at the Nigerian Embassy to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters and to stand in solidarity with them as we call upon the Nigerian government to protect Christians in their country.
“Today we are following the principles of Hebrews 13:3 where it says, ‘Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.’”
For more information or interviews please contact
Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741
SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition
CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741