Tags

Nigeria

• VOM Volunteer Murdered by Militants

  A man from Nigeria holds up copies of the VOM-Nigeria newsletter.

  Militants from the Islamic group Boko Haram murdered a VOM volunteer in Gwoza, Borno state, in late April. "His death shocked almost all the Christian community," reported another VOM worker in the country.

• Hundreds of Girls Kidnapped by Boko Haram

  Pray for the safety of Nigeria's innocent and most vulnerable citizens.

  The predominantly Christian enclave of Chibok in Borno State has been thrown into chaos over the abduction of girls from a secondary school. While many of the schoolgirls (who range in age from 16 to 20) belong to different churches in the area, there were also some innocent Muslim students in attendance at the school during the incident.

• More than 100 Killed in Brutal Attacks

  Damages from the attack Photo: World Watch Monitor

  More than 150 people were killed recently in separate attacks on predominantly Christian villages. Late at night on March 14th, suspected Fulani militants armed with guns and machetes raided three villages -- Ugwar Sankwai, Ungwan Gata and Chenshyi -- in Kaduna state, killing at least 114 people. Many of the victims were burned alive. The casualties included a pastor's wife and her three children.

• Over 100 Fatalities in Weekend Killing Spree

  Scars on Adamu Musa, shot by Boko Harm in a 2013 attack on I Gava West village. Photo: Morning Star News

  In the dark of the night on February 15th, Boko Haram militants chanting "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") attacked the predominantly Christian village of Izghe in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. After ordering the villagers to gather together, the assailants then opened fire, chasing down anyone who attempted to escape. At least 100 were murdered. The gunmen, who were wearing military fatigues, also set fire to houses, looted food supplies and stole several vehicles.

• Christians Targeted by Militants in Ruthless Attacks

  Militants burned down several houses & villages such as these. Photo: Barnabas Aid

  Boko Haram militants recently targeted Christians two times in less than a week in Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Adamawa is one of three northeastern states in which the Nigerian government declared a military state of emergency in May of last year.

• More than 30 Killed in Attack on Christian Village

  Bata Badugu, 75, and granddaughter Lydia, both injured in Shonong attack Photo: Morning Star News

  More than 30 believers were killed on January 6th when hundreds of Fulani Muslim herdsmen, armed with guns and machetes, stormed Shonong village in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State. According to local Christians, the soldiers stationed at the village to protect the believers joined the herdsmen in the assault.

• Christian Villages Attacked; Believers Pressured to Recant

  Approximately 40 people were tragically murdered in the early hours of November 26th when assailants launched attacks on four Christian-majority villages in Plateau State. Those murdered included pregnant women and young children. The attackers are believed to be members of the Fulani tribe, which is predominately Muslim. Some Christian leaders believe Islamic militants are inciting the Fulani people to attack believers in order to acquire their land.

• Innocent Civilians Killed in Recent Extremist Raids

  Two pastors have been killed and three churches destroyed, as militants attack yet more civilian targets in northeast Nigeria. In Borno state, a pastor was killed on September 26th when militants raided and set fire to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) which is located in Barawa village. Another EYN church was burned down in nearby Chikide village.

• Twenty-Five Christian Buildings Marked for Demolition

  A church that was destroyed in Yobe State, Nigeria

  Government authorities in northern Nigeria's Borno state plan to demolish 25 churches and schools, ostensibly to make room for new housing. However, no plans for the housing development have been produced. Christian leaders believe this is yet another attempt by local governments in northern Nigeria to persecute the Christian minority. (Other informative reports can be accessed at the Nigeria Country Report.)

• Fatal Attack Perpetrated by Militant Herdsmen and Soldiers

  Dauda Dalyop Photo: Morning Star News

  During a night raid by militant Muslims in Plateau state, a Christian man and his two teenage sons were tragically killed, and his wife critically wounded. At about 10 p.m. on September 3rd, ethnic Fulani herdsmen and soldiers raided Gura Dabwam village (near Jos in Gyel District), killing the 42-year-old father, Dauda Dalyop, and his two sons: Bitrus, 17, and Daniel, 15. The attack has also left Dauda's wife, Kangyang, 35, in critical condition at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital. Surprisingly, their 5-year-old son Dantong survived the attack unharmed.