Adamawa, Nigeria — 1 January 2026
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has escalated violence in northeastern Nigeria with a brutal attack on a Christian community in Adamawa State, according to local analysts and online footage circulating on social media.
The extremist group allegedly set an entire Christian village ablaze, releasing images and video of the burning settlement accompanied by a chilling ultimatum. In the message, ISWAP declared that “all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets” and warned that residents could “spare their blood” only by converting to Islam or paying a jizyah tax — a levy imposed by extremist groups on non-Muslims.
Security expert Brant Philip, in a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that the footage was circulated by the militants and highlighted the targeted nature of the attack.
Context of Rising Extremist Violence
The attack is perceived as part of a broader campaign of violence coordinated by ISWAP in retaliation to recent military operations. Five days ago, joint airstrikes by Nigerian and United States forces targeted suspected terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, according to other media reports.
ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has long been active in northeastern Nigeria, continuously carrying out assaults on civilian populations, security forces, and religious communities despite sustained counter-terrorism operations.
International Reaction
The attack has drawn sharp international condemnation. U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore responded via his official X account, describing the threat against Nigerian Christians as unmistakable religious persecution. He stated that the latest footage and statements “should end any doubt” that Christians are being targeted for their faith.
Moore also highlighted ongoing cooperation between the United States and Nigerian authorities to address extremist threats, affirming continued support for efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
Government and Security Response
At the time of reporting, Nigerian government officials and security agencies had not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the video released by ISWAP or provided an official casualty tally. However, the incident underscores persistent security challenges in the country’s northeast, where communities remain at risk from insurgent violence.
