ISWAP claims burning of Christian village in Nigeria, issues convert-or-die ultimatum

ISWAP claims burning of Christian village in Nigeria, issues convert-or-die ultimatum

By Joe Udo

YOLA (CONVERSEER) – The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for torching a Christian village in Adamawa State in North-Eastern Nigeria, sharing propaganda images that label all Nigerian Christians as targets but offer sparing through conversion or protection payments.

This is the third such raid in recent days, likely retaliation for U.S.-Nigeria airstrikes on December 25-27, 2025, that hit ISIS-linked camps in Sokoto State.

According to Daily Post, a security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.

“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to ‘spare their blood’ by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.

Further tweets from Philip, obtained by Converseer on Friday, claimed the village of Timoa in Adamawa was attacked by ISWAP, where they killed four Christians, destroyed 50 houses and three motorcycles and captured five others.

“ISWAP attacked a third Christian village in Adamawa State in the span of a few days, seemingly retaliation to the US airstrikes against IS-Sahel in Sokoto State, this time no Christians were killed but the village of ‘Higa’ was set ablaze yesterday, with over 50 houses burnt.

“ISWAP raided another Christian village, killing 11 ‘hostile’ Christians, destroying a church and over 100 houses and capturing their properties, this is the first time ISWAP refers to a group of Christians as being ‘hostile’ following ISCAP using this same wording recently.

“ISWAP claims to have attacked the Christian village of Timoa, in Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria on Friday, where they killed four Christians, destroyed 50 houses and three motorcycles and captured five others, perhaps ISWAP is trying to take the attention away from Sokoto?” Philip wrote on X.

Responding, U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Riley Moore called it clear religious persecution, praising joint efforts under President Donald Trump to fight the threat amid Nigeria’s ongoing insurgency.

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“If there were any remaining doubts that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for their faith in Jesus Christ, this should end that debate.

“This isn’t about land usage, “climate change,” or any other argument the Left wants to make. This is persecution of our brothers and sisters for their faith in Christ, plain and simple.

“ISIS is telling Christians they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” if they convert. Our brothers and sisters will not bend the knee to anyone but our Lord and Savior though.

“Thankfully, @POTUS is continuing to work in cooperation with the Nigerian government to stop these Islamic radicals and defend our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore wrote on X.

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