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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has intensified attacks on Christian communities in northeastern Nigeria, setting ablaze a Christian village in Adamawa State.
The incident was revealed on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 2026, by security analyst Brant Philip, following the circulation of a viral video released by the terror group.
According to Philip, the footage shows a Christian settlement in Adamawa engulfed in flames, accompanied by a chilling message from ISWAP declaring Christians across Nigeria as legitimate targets.
“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,” Philip wrote on X.
Security observers believe the attack is a retaliatory move linked to recent joint airstrikes carried out by Nigerian and United States forces against terrorist enclaves in some parts of Sokoto State.
The development comes days after United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military had launched airstrikes targeting terrorists in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
ISWAP’s latest threat has heightened fears among Christian communities in the region, amid growing concerns over escalating sectarian violence and reprisals by extremist groups.