ISWAP circulated a propaganda release on 1 January alleging it set fire to a Christian village in Adamawa State, with the group claiming the attack occurred around 30 December 2025. The material reportedly showed houses engulfed in flames and included messaging portraying Christians as legitimate targets unless they convert or submit to extremist demands. Reporting notes Nigerian authorities have not independently confirmed the claims or verified the authenticity of the images.

Separate reporting tied to analyst Brant Philip says ISWAP released imagery of “one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning” alongside a statement that “all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets”, with language offering to “spare their blood” if they convert to Islam or pay “jizyah” to ISWAP. Analysts and security experts cited in local reporting assess the messaging as an escalation in rhetoric intended to spread fear, provoke sectarian tension, and project expanded reach, while cautioning propaganda can exaggerate impact and inspire follow-on attacks rather than provide a factual account.

The propaganda release followed reporting of coordinated U.S.–Nigeria air operations on 25 December targeting suspected ISIS-linked camps in north-west Nigeria, and another outlet framed the Adamawa messaging as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes. While ISWAP has historically operated in the North-East, including Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, experts note jihadist groups increasingly use online claims to signal influence in new areas and retaliate symbolically after military setbacks.

What this means: ISWAP’s messaging explicitly frames Christians as nationwide targets, and the Adamawa arson claim—whether fully verifiable or not—functions as intimidation designed to spread fear and provoke sectarian tension.

Who's at risk: Churches, Christian communities, and faith-based staff in Nigeria’s North-East—especially Adamawa—face heightened concern due to propaganda that pairs imagery of burning settlements with coercive demands to convert or pay “jizyah”.

Outlook: Watch for further propaganda spikes and retaliatory narratives following counterterror operations, as experts assess such releases are often meant to exaggerate impact and inspire additional attacks and to project reach beyond traditional strongholds.

KASUWAN-DAJI, NIGERIA – Gunmen raided KASUWAN-DAJI village in BORGU LGA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA, killing at least 30 people and abducting several others. A Catholic diocesan spokesman and residents reported higher death toll estimates and that some abductees were children, with some bodies left unrecovered due to security fears.

ASSIN DANSAME, GHANA – On January 1, 2025, a bus branded with Methodist Wesley Church insignia struck a crowd during a street parade at Assin Dansame on the Assin Fosu–Kumasi highway, killing two people and injuring 21. Police were deployed after residents vandalized the bus, and authorities opened an investigation into the cause.

No current updates.

No current updates.

MUVATTUPUZHA, INDIA – A firecracker explosion during preparations for a church festival at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church in Kadathy near Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district, killed a 70-year-old man and severely injured another person. Police registered a case and booked three church officials on negligence and explosives-related charges.

SHINGORI, INDIA – Police in Amravati district, Maharashtra arrested a pastor from Kerala and seven others on allegations of forcible conversion after a complaint that money was being offered to change faith. The arrests followed preaching activity in Shingori village and a gathering in Benoda police limits; all eight were later granted bail and the investigation is ongoing.

MAHARASHTRA, INDIA – A Keralite priest, Fr. Sudheer, and his wife were arrested in Maharashtra, India, following allegations of religious conversion reportedly tied to a complaint by Bajrang Dal activists. The Church of South India’s South Kerala diocese said it was working to secure their release and that Fr. Sudheer was to be presented in court.

UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA – Police arrested Pastor David Gladion and his son Abhishek Gladion during a prayer meeting at a church in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, after Bajrang Dal activists protested and alleged forced or induced conversions. Authorities filed charges under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act against them and seven unidentified individuals and opened an investigation.

No current updates.

No current updates.

No current updates.

EASLEY, UNITED STATES – Two 18-year-olds were accused of detonating altered fireworks and performing burnouts in the parking lot of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina, causing significant damage. Deputies found burning altered fireworks and an explosion crater, and the FBI and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad assisted; arrests were announced Jan. 2.

FREDERICTON, CANADA – A large brass bell was stolen from St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Woodstock Road in Fredericton on December 29, 2025. Police later recovered part of the bell destroyed in a ditch while the remainder remains missing, and investigators believe a black four-door Ford F-150 pickup truck was involved.

WINSTON-SALEM, UNITED STATES – Shots were fired at Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center on Manchester Street in WINSTON-SALEM, with a bullet passing through the church’s front doors. An off-duty FORSYTH COUNTY deputy working church security was grazed on the hand and the Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

KANSAS CITY, UNITED STATES – An individual placed a small incendiary device on a windowsill at Bethel Christian Church in Kansas City, Kansas, causing an explosion that damaged windows and items in a children’s room. The pastor reported thousands of dollars in damage, and no one was inside the church at the time.

PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES – A priest at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Philadelphia confronted an intruder attempting to break into the church’s donation box, causing the suspect to flee. Police said the box was empty and nothing was taken, and the Philadelphia Police Department released surveillance video as the Northwest Detective Division investigates.

MARION, UNITED STATES – A Marion couple allegedly stole a Yamaha golf cart from a local church campus in Marion, North Carolina after entering a restricted area, and the cart was later recovered at a nearby residence. Two suspects were charged with felony larceny and felony first-degree trespassing, with an additional charge for one suspect.

WARRINGTON, UNITED KINGDOM – St James Church on Wilderspool Causeway in Warrington reported vandalism after a chair in its Garden of Remembrance was dislodged and broken and a nearly 200-year-old wall showed deliberate damage to its brickwork. The church asked the public to provide any information or dash-cam footage to Cheshire Police.

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – On 23 December 2025, Christmas lights illuminating an outdoor nativity crib scene at St Augustine’s Church in Glasgow were stolen. Police Scotland appealed for public assistance and requested information related to the incident.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – A major fire severely damaged the 19th-century VONDELKERK church in AMSTERDAM on January 1, 2026, collapsing its tower and badly damaging the roof. The cause was not immediately clear and the incident occurred amid wider New Year unrest in the NETHERLANDS.

NEWTOWNHAMILTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Two churches in NEWTOWNHAMILTON, COUNTY ARMAGH were burglarized between 25–26 December 2025, with damage reported at both sites. Items including electronic speakers and a wall clock were stolen.

MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – A statue of Our Lady outside St Alphonsus Church in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough was pushed to the ground and damaged on December 30, 2025. The parish reported the vandalism to police, and enquiries are ongoing.

No current updates.

Lord, we lift up Your Church in India—where a rumor can become a mob, and a prayer meeting can be treated like a crime. Protect believers from vigilante violence, harassment, and “crowd justice.” Stop false accusations before they spread, and raise up peacemakers who de-escalate in the moment.

Father, we pray for fairness where anti-conversion laws are used selectively or unjustly. Give police integrity, judges discernment, and officials courage to uphold due process even under pressure. Guard pastors, families, and new believers—especially those in vulnerable communities—and provide wise counsel, provision, and strong local support so no one stands alone.

Holy Spirit, keep Your people humble, clear, and fearless—bold without provocation, peaceful without silence.

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