 |
Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase Photos from Compass Direct |
Pray that those who mourn for Christianah will find the Holy Spirit's comfort to carry them through their grief (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray that the students that killed her will come to repentance and salvation (Acts 9:1-19).
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Nigeria, click here.
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
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
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.
Easter Sunday worship services in the town of Ariko, Kaduna State, were violently disrupted when gunmen attacked two churches, killing 12 Christians. According to witnesses, Fulani rebels opened fire on followers of Jesus who had been worshipping at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and the St. Augustine Catholic Church. In addition to the fatalities, dozens of others were kidnapped and both church buildings sustained damages.
In a rare court case, nine Fulani herdsmen are facing trial for their roles in the massacre of more than 200 Christians in Benue State during the month of June, 2025. Prosecutors filed a total of 57 charges against the accused individuals, and additional suspects are still being pursued by authorities.
On the morning of January 18th, Christians were gathered for worship in the village of Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, when armed assailants stormed the community. The attackers raided three church buildings in the village: two congregations of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, as well as a fellowship belonging to the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). While over 170 people were taken hostage, some of them later escaped. At the time of publishing this report, at least 163 of the kidnapped victims remain missing – all of whom are being held by their abductors presumably in an unknown location.
On November 21st, people around the world were shocked by the abduction of over 300 students from a boarding school in Niger State, Nigeria. (Learn more about this kidnapping incident.)
About two weeks after the attack, Nigerian authorities announced that 100 of the children had been recovered. On December 21st, a spokesperson for the Nigerian president confirmed via social media that the remaining 130 pupils have since been released. This means that all the abducted schoolchildren were safely freed from captivity!
