Originally published in Worthy News
A Christian mother in northeastern Nigeria has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after sharing her faith with a Muslim woman who voluntarily converted to Christianity, raising fresh concerns over religious freedom in a nation where thousands of Christians have been killed in recent years.
Liyatu Samuel Dawa, from Borno State, was sentenced by Justice A. B. Kumdila under Section 210 of the state’s Penal Code, despite testimony from the woman involved that her conversion was entirely voluntary, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).
Dawa’s husband, Evangelist Amos Suleman, reportedly spent months in detention before being released on bail. He has since gone into hiding following alleged death threats from Islamic extremists.
Human rights advocates have questioned the conviction, arguing that Nigeria’s constitution explicitly protects the freedom to change one’s religion and share one’s beliefs. The precise legal reasoning behind the sentence remains unclear without the complete court record.
Nigeria remains one of the world’s deadliest countries for Christians
The case comes amid a prolonged campaign of violence against Christian communities, particularly in northern and central Nigeria, where Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed extremist groups have carried out deadly attacks, kidnappings, and assaults on churches and villages.
According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, 3 490 Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria during its latest reporting period, accounting for approximately 72% of documented Christian deaths worldwide. The figure represents an increase from 3 100 the previous year.
Christianity continues to flourish despite violence
Yet amid the bloodshed, Christianity remains a powerful force in Africa’s most populous nation.
Open Doors estimates that Nigeria is home to approximately 107 million Christians, representing nearly 46% of the population, making it one of the largest Christian populations in the world.
Over recent decades, Nigeria’s Christian population has expanded dramatically alongside the country’s overall population growth, with evangelical and Pentecostal churches playing a prominent role in the nation’s religious life.
Nigeria has also become a major center for Christian missions, sending evangelists and establishing churches throughout Africa and beyond.
The contrast is striking: While extremist violence and religious discrimination threaten Christian communities, the church continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, underscoring the determination of Nigerian believers to preserve and share their faith despite mounting opposition.
Nigeria ranks seventh globally for Christian persecution, with violence particularly severe in Borno, Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna states. Religious hostility, terrorism, ethnic conflict, and competition over farmland have contributed to the country’s worsening security crisis.
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