Christian leaders and groups in Niger State, under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christians Statistics Committee, have raised serious concerns over what they describe as a deliberate attempt to depopulate Christian communities across the state through relentless insecurity.

 

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Minna, committee chairman Deacon Marcus Salka detailed how years of violence, killings, and forced displacements have altered demographic balances in key regions.

 

### Insecurity Targeting Christian-Dominated Local Government Areas

 

Salka highlighted that while the state grew above the national annual average, violent attacks disproportionately affected specific local government areas (LGAs).

 

> *"As at 2006, our population was well over fifty percent, but following the incessant insecurity in Christian-dominated local government areas, especially Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi, Magama, etc., majority of our people were killed, others relocated and this obviously was strategic to depopulate our people,"* Salka stated.

 

### By the Numbers: Niger State Demographics

 

The committee pointed to official census benchmarks alongside current growth figures to counter inaccurate demographic projections circulating online:

 

* **2006 Census Baseline:** Niger State recorded a total population of **3,950,249** (2,032,725 males at 51.5% and 1,917,524 females at 48.5%).

* **Above-Average Growth:** According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Niger State expands at an annual rate of **3.4%**, surpassing the national average growth rate of 3.2%.

* **Current Estimates:** Recent demographic evaluations put the Christian population in Niger State at approximately **3.42 million** (around 45.7% of the state's total projected population), predominantly situated across southern, western, rural, and urban indigenous communities.

 

### Vow to Reject False Figures

 

The leaders emphasized that because official Nigerian censuses do not capture religious affiliations directly, inaccurate figures are frequently published to marginalize communities.

 

Declaring that Christian stakeholders will no longer stay silent, Salka affirmed that the committee will continue pushing for accurate representation and adequate security for displaced residents across all affected LGAs.