British activist Tommy Robinson raised concerns over the persecution of Christians in Nigeria during the “Unite the Kingdom” march in central London on Saturday, alongside a Nigerian bishop who accused Western institutions of failing to speak out against attacks on Christian communities.Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, organised the rally around themes including British identity, immigration and national security.While addressing supporters, Robinson spoke about violence faced by Christians in parts of Nigeria and the wider Middle East.“When Christians are being butchered and massacred across every Middle Eastern nation… there’s a genocide happening right now,” Robinson said.“It’s been happening for years in Nigeria. We will not remain silent while our Christian brothers and sisters are being raped and pillaged in any country in the world.”On X ( formerly Twitter) , Robinson wrote: “While others ignore you, or avoid you and your plight, the patriotic men and women of the United Kingdom of Great Britain will not.”“You are our brothers and sisters in Christ.”Anglican Bishop Jwan Zhumbes of Bukuru Diocese in Nigeria addressed the gathering and spoke about the situation facing Christian communities in the country’s Middle Belt region.“Communities which are predominantly Christian communities are attacked daily. People killed. Churches razed down. And whole communities sacked,” Zhumbes said.He alleged that groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP militants and armed Fulani groups had contributed to years of insecurity, kidnappings and attacks targeting Christians in some areas.“Christian persecution in Nigeria is a reality,” Zhumbes said.The bishop also claimed kidnappers had previously attempted to abduct him from his home in Nigeria.Christian advocacy organisations have repeatedly highlighted concerns over religious violence and insecurity in Nigeria. The country currently ranks seventh on the 2026 World Watch List published by Open Doors, which monitors persecution faced by Christians globally.The organisation has reported thousands of killings linked to extremist violence and armed attacks in Nigeria’s northern and central regions in recent years.Zhumbes urged Christians in Britain not to “abandon the gospel” and warned that religious extremism and violence were not issues confined to one region.“Please, it’s my desire, my prayer, that you hold on to that gospel,” he said.“May Christ reign in England.”
