Photo: Morning Star News
As a local church was about to begin their service on Christmas Day in Angwan Aku, Kaduna, Fulani militants entered the village on motorcycles. Shooting sporadically, one Christian was killed. Before leaving, the attackers also kidnapped 53 other villagers.
Prior to this incident, in the days leading up to Christmas, militants attacked the villages of Mallagum and Kagoro, also located in Kaduna state. Forty Christians were killed in Mallagum on December 18th and an additional three in Kagoro on December 23rd. For those remaining in these predominantly Christian villages, life has been completely disrupted. "The lucky survivors have become refugees in their land," stated one resident. "Mass graves litter the community and the countryside." The assailants were heard to shout the Islamic declaration of Allah akbar (God is greater) while wreaking havoc on the villages.
Nigeria continues to be the nation where more Christians are killed for their faith than any other. While some of the country's violence and kidnappings arise for illicit financial gain, Christians are frequently targeted because of their faith. For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Nigeria, go to our country report.
Please prayerfully remember the grieving families and community members of the many Christians killed in these recent attacks, as well as those who have been abducted or are recovering from other incidents of persecution. Ask the Lord to minister greatly needed comfort and help to His suffering Nigerian people, replacing their uncertainties and fears with inner peace. May He also give wisdom to the members of the country's political leadership, urging them to make this concern of violent persecution a priority. As elections are taking place in February (for a new president and other governing representatives), pray that the Lord will guide the selection process – raising up those who will bring about peace in this divided nation.
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