Convert to Islam or Die – ISWAP Tells Christians as They Burn Down Christian Village in Adamawa

In a chilling escalation of violence in northeastern Nigeria, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for burning down a Christian village in Adamawa State, issuing a stark ultimatum to Christians across the country: convert to Islam, pay the jizyah tax, or face death. The attack, documented through images and statements released by the group on January 1, 2026, shows flames engulfing homes and structures in the remote village, displacing dozens of residents and leaving a trail of destruction. Local authorities confirmed the incident, reporting no immediate casualties but emphasizing the terror inflicted on the predominantly Christian community amid ongoing insurgency in the region.

ISWAP’s propaganda release framed the assault as retaliation for recent joint U.S.-Nigerian airstrikes on their positions in Sokoto State, which occurred in late December 2025. The group’s message declared all Christians in Nigeria as “legitimate targets,” urging them to “spare their blood” by embracing Islam or submitting to the jizyah, a historical tax on non-Muslims under Islamic rule. This nationwide threat marks a significant broadening of ISWAP’s campaign, which has historically focused on Boko Haram-style attacks in the Lake Chad basin, including kidnappings, bombings, and village raids targeting religious minorities.

The brazen declaration underscores a grim irony: while many proponents describe Islam as a religion of peace, emphasizing its teachings of compassion and coexistence, groups like ISWAP weaponize distorted interpretations to justify atrocities. This contradiction highlights how extremist factions exploit religious rhetoric for political and territorial gains, sowing division in a nation already grappling with interfaith tensions and undermining global perceptions of the faith’s core principles.

Nigerian security forces have vowed to intensify operations against ISWAP, with calls from international observers for increased humanitarian aid to affected communities. As Adamawa reels from the attack, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by jihadist insurgents, prompting renewed debates on counter-terrorism strategies and religious tolerance in Africa’s most populous country.