A 24-year-old Christian named Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel was killed by a mob of militants in Nigeria after being accused of posting a blasphemous statement about the prophet Mohammed on Facebook. The killing was part of a larger attack on Pandogari town in which three other people also tragically lost their lives and a church was burned down.
According to a statement released by army spokesman N.C. Agwu, a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps was among those who lost their lives after rioters blocked the Lagos-Kaduna Road. "Some arrests have been made in connection with the violence and the suspects (were) handed over to the police," he reports.
A Baptist pastor in nearby Kagara town further explains that Facebook exchanges between two young people in Pandogari triggered the attacks: "The incident began with Facebook chats between a Muslim and a Christian.... The Muslim youth mobilized other Muslims in the town on claims that the Christian youth had blasphemed the prophet Mohammed." The pastor adds that the militant group then burned down the Fellowship Baptist Church in Pandogari town.
To learn more about the country of Nigeria, and to review previous reports and video documentaries, go to the Nigeria Country Report.
Please pray for the people of Nigeria, and especially those who have been affected by the recent killings in Pandogari town. May the group members responsible for the violence be brought to justice. Intercede on behalf of Nigerians in the community who do not yet know Christ, nor understand the impact of their negative actions, that they may seek the truth of the Gospel and grow in God's wisdom and grace. Pray for an end to the scourge of persecution which can only take place when Christians and Muslims fully extend the love and compassion of Jesus Christ in order to reside peaceably and harmoniously.
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