MAIDUGURI, Nigeria Christians in Southern Borno State have endured years of deadly attacks, mass killings, kidnappings, forced displacement, and the destruction of their communities, yet many continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite ongoing insecurity in Northeast Nigeria.
Speaking to gvoice, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), alleged that Christians in Borno face not only persistent attacks from Islamist insurgent groups but also what he described as neglect by state authorities. According to Bitrus, the combined effect of the violence and alleged government inaction has left many Christian communities vulnerable and displaced.
Bitrus further claimed that the long-term objective of the insurgents is to drive Christians from their ancestral communities and permanently alter the region's demographic composition. These allegations have not been independently verified, and government officials have consistently maintained that security operations are aimed at protecting all citizens regardless of religion.
Christians Continue to Face Disproportionate Impact
Despite years of insurgency, Christians are estimated to comprise between 15 and 20 percent of Borno State's estimated 6.65 million residents, according to Christian Global Relief and the 2025 Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) report.
The ORFA report states that while both Christians and Muslims have suffered from the prolonged insurgency in Northeast Nigeria, Christian communities have experienced repeated killings, kidnappings, forced displacement, and widespread destruction of homes, churches, and villages. The report also notes that Christians were disproportionately affected in many documented attacks.
The Nigerian Federal Government has repeatedly stated that its security operations target insurgent groups without religious discrimination and has rejected suggestions that any particular religious community is intentionally neglected.
Community Hunters Plan 10,000-Man Volunteer Guard Force
In response to continuing attacks, local community leaders say they are organizing a large volunteer security network to defend vulnerable communities.
Chief Tarfa Makanaki, Coordinator of the Southern Borno Independent Hunters Association (SBIHA), told TruthNigeria from Mbala Ward in Chibok Local Government Area on Monday, July 6, 2026, that Christian hunters and community vigilantes are working together to help secure villages affected by insurgent violence.
According to Makanaki, volunteers from neighboring states are joining local hunters in an effort to strengthen community protection and assist displaced residents seeking to return to their homes.
"Hunters who are Christians from neighboring states are coming. We are forming a collaboration with vigilantes from villages that are still standing and those whose residents have been displaced," Makanaki said.
He expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate government support for affected communities.
"We are coming together because it is clear that both the state and Federal Government do not seem to care about us," he said.
Makanaki further claimed that the association expects to mobilize approximately 10,000 volunteer guards by early August 2026.
"By the grace of God, we can raise about 10,000 fighters by early August this year," he said.
He added that the volunteers intend to continue resisting attacks by Boko Haram militants, describing the effort as a long-term community defense initiative.
Middle Belt Forum Expresses Confidence in Community Resistance
When asked whether local hunters and vigilante groups could sustain resistance against Boko Haram, Dr. Bitrus pointed to what he described as the long history of community resilience in the region.
"Yes. Have we not resisted Islamisation for centuries? But we may have to forget the so-called presence of the military in some outposts," Bitrus told TruthNigeria.
His comments reflect growing concern among some community leaders who argue that local self-defense initiatives have become increasingly necessary as attacks continue across parts of Southern Borno.
The security situation in Northeast Nigeria remains volatile, with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continuing to carry out attacks against both civilian and military targets despite years of counterinsurgency operations.
