Persecution Of Christians In Nigeria: “A Long-Standing Quest The World Has Ignored,” Ikem Patrick Calls On Donald Trump To Take It A Step Further In The South

Enugu, Nigeria — November 2, 2025

Mazi Ikem Patrick, an IPOB activist and a voice campaigning for justice and religious freedom in Nigeria, has publicly appealed to U.S. President Donald J. Trump to extend his recent actions on Nigeria by supporting a democratic referendum for Southern Nigeria.

Patrick appealed in a recorded message released on Sunday, following the U.S. government’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over the killings and persecution of Christians.

In his address, Mazi Ikem Patrick commended President Trump for what he described as “a step in the right direction,” referring to Washington’s recent designation that has renewed global focus on the genocide and mass killings of Christians across Nigeria.

He urged the American leader to take the next bold step by facilitating a peaceful process for the Christian Southern Nigeria, to determine their political future through a United Nations–supervised referendum, an ultimate test of democracy.

Patrick emphasized that the demand for self-determination in the South is not new, but a “long-standing quest the world has ignored.”

He urged President Trump to “put instruments together” that would enable sections of Nigeria to democratically decide whether they wish to remain part of the Nigerian federation or pursue independence, citing Trump’s leadership in resolving crises around the world as proof of his capacity to act decisively.

“If you can help Christians of the South to determine if they want to remain in Nigeria through referendum, it will be in history that Donald J. Trump have made great contribution in setting certain part of Africa free from domination and subjugation,” Patrick said. “Your name will always be remembered as the man who saved Southern Nigerians from genocide and subjugation.”

The call by Patrick comes amid heightened international attention on Nigeria following President Trump’s recent warning that the United States could go “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to stop the killings of Christians (Read full report).

The U.S. designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern (Full story here) has sparked global debate and renewed demands for accountability over religiously motivated violence across the country in what Nigerians describe as “jihad”.

Patrick’s statement also aligns with growing alarm over reports of midnight abductions, military raids, and enforced disappearances in the southeast, allegations recently highlighted by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in a public statement accusing Nigerian security forces of “night raids and disappearances” in Igboland (See report).

Concluding his message, Mazi Ikem Patrick appealed directly to President Trump’s conscience, saying the opportunity to help Southern Christians determine their fate through a peaceful and democratic process would not only bring lasting peace to the region but also mark “a defining legacy in world history.”