2023 Year in Review

As the most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria has a democratically elected government with religious freedoms engrained in the constitution. Even so, this country remains divided according to the overall religious affiliation of the representing populations: the northern part of the country, which is predominantly Muslim; and the southern half where the majority claim to be Christian.

Reports indicate that much of the violence targeting Christians was committed by members of militant Islamic groups within the country. Terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been working to establish an Islamic state. In recent years, however, violence by the country's Fulani herdsmen has grown to be a major influence.

The Fulani are traditionally a nomadic people who herd livestock across the region, often without any regard for those living in these areas. There were times when the violent conflicts had taken place over the grazing of land. Yet, when the militant Islamic ideologies within some Fulani groups became a factor, Christian communities were threatened with even further challenges.

Raids committed by armed Fulani bandits, specifically those targeting churches and the homes of congregation members, have devastated entire communities. Along with the killing and pillaging, the Fulani militants also captured hostages during the raids with the intention of having them ransomed. As these raids spread further south in Nigeria, hundreds of Christians have been killed or kidnapped. A particularly devastating series of attacks happened recently between December 24th and the 26th when at least 140 people were killed in multiple villages of the country's Plateau State. More details may be released in future alerts as additional reports become available.

Over the years, incidents involving the kidnapping of school students have also been devastating for the country's Christians. More than five years ago, a girls' school in Dapchi was raided. Of the 110 students kidnapped, only one of them, Leah Sharibu, remains missing. Leah's family continues to call for those around the world to pray for their teen's release from captivity and for the Nigerian government to advocate on her behalf.

In a separate incident, which took place in 2014, a total of 276 girls were abducted from a school in Chibok. Approximately 100 of them are still missing. Thankfully, the families of Huwa Maltha and Ester Marcus were joyfully reunited following their girls' rescue in April. This year also marked the final student to be welcomed home of those who had been kidnapped at the Bethel Baptist High School in July 2021. For an overview of all the Nigeria reports posted by VOMC during the year of 2023 and beyond, go to our country report.

Praise God for the safe return of believers who had been kidnapped in Nigeria, as they now can enjoy being joyously reunited with their families and friends. In the meantime, please continue to pray for the hundreds of others who are suffering from the aftermath of the violent raids – specifically those whose loved ones have been killed or remain in captivity, as well as followers of Jesus who have lost their homes, businesses and churches for their faith in Him. May they too receive greatly needed comfort, healing, peace, restoration, protection and provision.... Overall, pray that the Holy Spirit will work miraculously throughout the entire nation of Nigeria, bringing the hope of the Gospel message to all who are in desperate need of God's forgiveness and eternal salvation.