FIRST ON FOX: Following his testimony at a congressional hearing in March, a Nigerian bishop has faced threats, and his village has been targeted in a deadly attack.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe revealed in an exclusive interview with Digital this week that his diocese has experienced four deadly attacks in 10 days by “terrorist Jihadists” since he testified in Washington.

Nigeria is considered one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, according to the 2025 World Watch List (WWL) by NGO Open Doors International. The report states that Nigeria accounted for 3,100 of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide, representing 69% of the total.

Open Doors U.K. stated that “Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria, and Christians are at particular risk from targeted attacks by Islamic militant groups, including Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).”

According to “Pastor Winyadebi,” a leader of a major church in Nigeria who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told Digital, “There have been continuous attacks and religious violence, specifically targeting Christian communities.”

He added, “Their (Islamist militants) goal is to ensure that Islam dominates every part of these areas… They are doing everything to suppress Christianity and establish Islam as the dominant religion, aiming to implement Sharia law (strict Islamic law) throughout Nigeria.”

Anagbe’s Makurdi Diocese, located in north-central Nigeria, is predominantly Christian. The increasing attacks by Islamist Fulani militants prompted his testimony at a congressional hearing in March.

In April, several foreign embassies in Abuja, Nigeria, alerted the bishop to credible high-level official threats, including potential detention upon his return to Nigeria from the U.S. and possible harm.

This led , Anagbe’s congressional host and chair of the House Africa Subcommittee, to state, “I am appalled by reports that Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Father Remigius Ihyula (who testified alongside Bishop Anagbe) are facing threats—allegedly from Nigerian government sources and affiliated organizations—because of the Bishop’s testimony before Congress detailing violence in Nigeria’s Benue State. They reflect a troubling pattern of retaliation linked to testimony before Congress on religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.”

On April 10, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria posted emphasizing the bishop’s “right to speak freely without fear of retribution or retaliation,” noting intimidation and threats made “because of their March 12 testimony.”

Subsequently, the attacks intensified, occurring more frequently, with four incidents between May 23 and June 1.

Anagbe told Digital that “what has been happening in my village and diocese is nothing short of terror attacks on innocent villagers in order to seize their lands and occupy [them].”

He elaborated, “On May 23rd, one of my priests, Father Solomon Atongo, was shot in the leg by these terrorists and nearly died. On May 25th, my village, Aondona, was attacked for hours, resulting in over 20 deaths, numerous injuries, and thousands displaced and living in makeshift camps.”

Anagbe continued, “On June 1st, Naka town was subjected to terror, with many killed and displaced. The attack was so severe that even those who had sought refuge in a nearby school were not spared. Throughout Nigeria, these terrorists are engaged in a jihad, conquering territories and renaming them.”

“I have been speaking about this genocide for some years now, but whereas in the past some others saw my advocacy with the political lens, today almost everyone in Nigeria has seen the truth for what it is, especially after my testimony in the U.S. Congress.”

The bishop concluded the interview with a plea: “The world has a significant responsibility. First, it must learn from past errors, particularly the Rwandan genocide. In both instances, the world turned a blind eye. If the world does not act now to stop the atrocities being carried out under the guise of political correctness, it may face a situation that makes the Rwandan genocide pale in comparison. Remaining silent would be to condone genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nigeria.”

While the Nigerian government did not respond to a Digital request for comment, reported that the Nigerian Foreign Ministry had contacted the U.S. regarding the bishop’s testimony, stating that “any reports of threats or intimidation against religious leaders would be investigated and appropriate actions would be taken.”