Islamic Militants Attack Another Church in Nigeria Hours After Nikki Minaj Condemned Persecution

Just hours after rapper Nikki Minaj publicly denounced the escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria, another brutal assault by Islamic militants struck the embattled nation — underscoring the worsening crisis facing believers across the region.

On Tuesday evening, militants stormed the central Nigerian town of Eruku, killing at least two people and kidnapping a pastor along with multiple congregants from Christ Apostolic Church, according to a report from the Independent. Police later discovered one victim fatally shot inside the church and another dead in nearby brush.

Local witnesses told reporters the death toll may be even higher. Reuters interviewed congregant Joseph Bitrus, who said, “They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and took them into the bush.” The outlet also verified footage showing a worship service violently interrupted by gunfire as Christians scrambled for cover.

Warning: The below video may be disturbing to some readers.

The attack comes amid renewed global attention to the plight of Nigerian Christians — attention spurred in part by President Donald J. Trump and, unexpectedly, by hip-hop artist Nikki Minaj.

Minaj, born in Trinidad and Tobago and now an American-based performer, has become an unlikely but vocal supporter of the Trump administration’s decision to label Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over religious persecution. She recently posted a screenshot of a Truth Social message from the President, praising the move.

“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” Minaj wrote. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”

Her comments coincided with the American mission to the United Nations’ effort to “shine a spotlight on the deadly threats faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” according to CNN.

President Trump has been even more direct, repeatedly warning Nigeria’s government that continued inaction against Islamic militias will carry serious consequences — including potential U.S. military involvement.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this month.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”

The latest assault in Eruku is one more entry on a long list of unchecked violence against Nigeria’s Christian minority — and a growing diplomatic flashpoint as the Trump administration weighs its next move.