Douglas Burton

Douglas Burton is an independent writer specializing on Nigerian terrorism from his home near Washington, DC. He began covering the campaign to retake Mosul from ISIS in 2015 and switched to covering ISIS in Nigeria in 2019. He is a former State Department official in Kirkuk Iraq.

Articles by Douglas Burton

The campaign poster for Father Hyacinth Iormen Alia alluded to his well-known healing ministry. Courtesy of APC campaign

Suspended priest takes charge of Nigeria’s strife-torn Benue State

Jul 2, 2023 / 06:00 am

Hyacinth Iormen Alia ignored the admonitions of his bishop by successfully running for governor of Benue State.

CNA freelancer recounts ‘horrifying experience’ of witnessing Nigeria firefight

May 26, 2023 / 16:15 pm

The exchange of gunfire, which lasted about an hour, took place on May 16 in Mangu City in Central Nigeria’s Plateau State.

Burned vehicles after Good Friday raid on April 7, 2023, in Ngban, Benue state, Nigeria. Courtesy of Justice, Development, and Peace Commission

Holy Week attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria leave nearly 100 dead

Apr 10, 2023 / 13:04 pm

The deadly raids were another sign of worsening violence in Nigeria’s Benue state.

Residents of Adunu line up to cast their ballots in Adunu Feb. 25, 2023. Courtesy of Father Dauda Musa Bahago.

Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town

Apr 6, 2023 / 03:00 am

Armed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic town in north-central Nigeria.

Ruins after a militia attack in Benue state, Nigeria, during the last week of February 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Michael Burton/Ignition633.org

Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria

Mar 15, 2023 / 14:15 pm

Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news.

A group of people protest the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections and the emergence of the candidate of All Progressives Congress' (APC) Bola Tinubu as the president-elect in Abuja, Nigeria, on March 1, 2023. Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images

Muslim-Muslim ticket proclaimed winner of Nigeria’s presidential election amid protests

Mar 1, 2023 / 15:45 pm

The country’s Catholic bishops, among others, have sharply criticized the Independent Nigerian Election Commission for its handling of the vote count.

Supporters hold a placard with pictures of the candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi and running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed during a campaign rally of the party in Lagos, Nigeria, on Feb. 11, 2023. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images)

Nigerians head to the polls to choose a new president — and brace for post-election violence

Feb 23, 2023 / 17:05 pm

Peter Obi, one of three leading candidates, is Catholic and a popular former governor.

Bishop Yakubu Kundi of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria. Courtesy of Kafanchan Diocese

Nigeria bishop: Pre-Christmas massacre part of ‘a deliberate plan to unleash evil’ against Christians

Dec 22, 2022 / 03:00 am

Witnesses say armed Fulani herdsmen attacked several Christian villages on Dec. 18, leaving as many as 46 people dead and thousands displaced.

Police and residents of Wumat, a farming town 45 miles south of Jos, Nigeria, arrive to survey damage and help survivors of a terrorist attack on Nov 22, 2022. Courtesy of Victor Nafor

Despite incessant attacks, Nigerian Catholics keep their faith

Dec 2, 2022 / 13:45 pm

Attacks by groups of Islamist militia variously called “herdsmen,” “bandits,” or “unknown gunmen” increasingly victimize farming towns in Nigeria.

Catholic elementary school in Gbeji, Benue State, Central Nigeria. Courtesy of Kyarto Tyoumbur

Dozens of Catholic villagers reportedly killed in Central Nigeria raid

Oct 29, 2022 / 15:45 pm

The state police commissioner says no more than 10 people were slain, but a county official claims more than 70 bodies have been recovered.

Terrorist attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, have forced residents to flee their villages and, in some cases, seek shelter in local Catholic churches and schools. Pictured here is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yelewata. Photo courtesy of Father William Shom

Nigerian bishop appeals for help from European Parliament as terrorist attacks continue

Oct 14, 2022 / 18:00 pm

Since Oct. 8 terrorist attacks have claimed eight lives, displaced thousands, and left parishioners traumatized in Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbea's dicoese.

Formerly detained Father Oliver Opara (left) with Ummi Hassan; Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto (not an abductee); Father Stephen Ojapah; and Hassan Fareed Hassan after the four were released from being held captive by terrorists. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Sokoto

Freed Nigerian priest recounts details of his kidnapping by insurgents

Sep 7, 2022 / 08:00 am

Father Stephen Ojapah had fallen fast asleep late on May 25 after an exhausting day of parish work when two men with rifles ordered him to get out of bed and follow them.

Catholic journalist Luka Binniyat will stand trial on charges of "cyberstalking" after reporting on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Journalist who reported on massacre of Nigerian Christians to stand trial for “cyberstalking”

Aug 18, 2022 / 16:30 pm

Luka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was criticized for its inaction in the face of an ongoing threat to Christian communities.

Displaced Nigerians camped near St. Francis Xavier Parish in Agagbe, Nigeria, in 2022. Courtesy of Adakole Daniel

Catholic parish in Nigeria struggles to feed thousands uprooted by violent attacks

Aug 12, 2022 / 13:00 pm

From May 1 to June 30, 70 unarmed persons across Benue State in north-central Nigeria were killed in attacks by Fulani herdsmen, a Catholic bishop says.

The funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, June 30, 2022. Photos courtesy of the Archdiocese of Kaduna

Nigerian militants appear to target Catholic priests for kidnapping: Why?

Jul 14, 2022 / 13:27 pm

Father Peter Amodu was supposed to say the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in southern Nigeria on July 6.

Photo illustration of Nigerian military uniform. Shutterstock

Nigerian Christian villagers claim military helicopter fired on them, not bandits

Jul 4, 2022 / 11:41 am

Authorities deny the charge and have tried to reassure villagers the government is on their side.

Eyewitness details brutal 'blasphemy murder' of Nigerian Christian student

Jun 23, 2022 / 14:01 pm

A close friend who was with Deborah Emmanuel when she died describes her final hours.

Nigerian Catholic parish hard hit in latest raid

Jun 21, 2022 / 14:40 pm

“We lost three of our parishioners, and 36 people were kidnapped, the majority of whom were Catholics,” a Nigerian pastor says.