Convert to Islam or Die Threat: ISWAP Burns Christian Village in Adamawa State

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The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has once again intensified violent attacks against Christian communities in Nigeria’s northeastern region, deepening fear and insecurity among residents.

In a recent development, the extremist group reportedly set ablaze a Christian village located in Adamawa State, leaving destruction and displacement in its wake. The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups operating across parts of Northern Nigeria.

A well-known security analyst, Brant Philip, revealed the incident on Thursday through a viral video allegedly released by ISWAP fighters. According to the footage and accompanying message, the village was deliberately targeted as part of the group’s ideological campaign against Christians.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Brant Philip explained that ISWAP circulated images showing the village engulfed in flames. Alongside the visuals, the group reportedly issued a warning declaring that Christians across Nigeria are considered lawful targets under their extremist ideology. The statement further claimed that affected individuals could allegedly “spare their blood” only by converting to Islam or by paying jizyah, a tax historically imposed on non-Muslims under extremist interpretations.

The attack is widely seen as a calculated act of revenge following recent joint military airstrikes conducted by Nigerian forces with support from the United States. These air operations reportedly targeted a terrorist stronghold in Sokoto State, dealing a significant blow to insurgent logistics and leadership.

Just five days prior to the Adamawa incident, United States President Donald Trump publicly announced that the U.S. military had carried out coordinated airstrikes against terrorist elements operating within Sokoto. The announcement underscored growing international cooperation aimed at dismantling terrorist networks threatening regional stability.

Security experts warn that such retaliatory attacks on vulnerable civilian communities may increase as terrorist groups attempt to project strength following military setbacks. The Adamawa village incident further illustrates the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges facing Nigeria’s northeast, where religious communities continue to bear the brunt of extremist violence.

• Rising Insecurity in Northern Nigeria: What You Should Know
• Timeline of Terrorist Attacks in Nigeria’s Northeast
• How Insurgency Affects Religious Communities in Nigeria
• Nigeria–US Military Cooperation Against Terrorism Explained