Government Action Averts Christmas Attacks

31 December 2003

In the early morning of December 18, a combined team of army, air force and police raided a Muslim militant stronghold in the city of Jos, Nigeria in order to pre-empt attacks planned on Christians during the Christmas holidays. According to a December 30 report from Compass Direct, the Nigerian government ordered the raid after receiving reports that militants from Niger and Cameroon and come to join in attacks on Christians on Christmas Day.

Jos, Nigeria In the attack, five militants were killed and one hundred and seventy-five were arrested, including their leader, Mallam Ibrahim Mai-Mai. Some military and police personnel suffered gunshot and machete wounds in the attack. Mallam Mai-Mai ran an Islamic school, with three hundred students. It is believed that the school was used to train Islamic militants.

Sources in Jos indicated to VOM in 2001 that foreign militants had been active in attacks on Christians in the city during the violence of September 2001 that left hundreds dead.

In a December 20 broadcast on radio and television, Plateau Governor Joshua Dariye warned that patience with Islamic militants was running out and they would deal decisively with all those who threaten peace and order.

For the past several years, the Christmas season has been a time of violence against Christians around the world. Praise God with us that this season has thus far been relatively calm in 2003, in part because of actions like that in Nigeria. Pray that Nigerian authorities will carry out their promises to enforce peace.

For more information on persecution in Nigeria, click here.

Nigeria

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
230,842,743 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

Religion (%)
Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

Leader
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

Government type
Federal presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Nigeria
May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.