Tags

Nigeria

• Christian Villages Ruthlessly Attacked by Militants

  Pray for the protection of villages targeted by militants in Plateau State, Nigeria. Photo: Flickr / Jeff Attaway

  Fulani militants recently attacked several Christian villages in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Twelve villagers and a soldier were reportedly killed in the assault.

  Meanwhile, the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram recently abducted more than 40 people, a number of whom are Christians. Among those seized on September 30th were a mother and her newborn twins. (Boko Haram was also responsible for the kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in April. For more information on that incident, please visit this page.)

• Churches Struggle to Cope as Refugees Flee Neighbouring Nigeria

  The United Nations camp for Nigerian refugees in northern Cameroon Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Thousands of Nigerians, many of them Christians, have fled their home country for northern Cameroon in the wake of ongoing violence by the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram. Yet, even beyond the borders of their homeland, these Nigerian believers are far from safe. In the village of Cherif Moussary, an assault from militants left a church ransacked and the residence of the pastor burned down. Many of the Christian families were also stripped of virtually all their possessions. A similar act of destruction was reported at Mouldougoua village. At Assighassia, which was occupied for days by militants before the army arrived, two church elders were beheaded. Meanwhile, in Djibrilli village, a pastor was kidnapped, threatened and asked about his faith by militants before being released the following day.

• Churches Close Down as Boko Haram Claims Territory

  Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. Wikipedia via Morning Star News

  Scores of Christians have been killed, and numerous churches and a Bible school forced to close down, after militants from Boko Haram recently seized towns and villages in several states. "Boko Haram violence has been getting worse every day, and our members are fleeing the area by the thousands," a church leader shares. "...Borno and Adamawa states, where are our churches are located, have seen Boko Haram take over the army base. As a result, about 350 Christians have been killed."

• Attacks Against Churches Result in More Casualties

  One of the churches targeted in the attacks. Photo: CSW

  At least four Christians and a soldier were killed in the city of Kano, Kano State, on July 27th after a bomb was thrown over a church's fence as believers were leaving their Sunday worship service. Many other Christians were hospitalized with injuries. Several other sites in the area have also been bombed in recent weeks, and the Islamic militant group "Boko Haram" (which translates to "Western education is a sin") is suspected to be behind the assaults. The terrorist group seeks to impose Sharia law throughout the country, often targeting Christians.

• Dozens Murdered in Brutal Attack on Christian Villages

  Some of the parents of Chibok's kidnapped girls. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  At least 50 believers were killed and five churches burned to the ground on June 29th when militants launched ruthless assaults on Christian villages near Chibok, Borno State.

  The violence began as believers were gathering for Sunday worship. "The attackers fired at worshippers, and those who tried to escape were chased and gunned down. They killed anything they (had) seen. Even animals were not left alive. Many people fled to the bush. They also set fire (to) houses and other properties before leaving the village," a survivor of the carnage explained.

• Christian Communities Ravaged by Militants

  Pray for the many victimized Christians of Nigeria, including their children. Photo: Flickr / Seattle Globalist

  On June 1st, over 100 Muslim militants stormed the predominantly Christian village of Attagara in Borno State's Gwoza Local Government Area. Chanting "Allah Akbar," the assailants opened fire, killing over 25 and injuring more than 50 others. Although believers sought help from military personnel at a checkpoint just a few kilometres away, the military refused to intervene. In an attempt to protect the community, and especially the children, many Christian youths decided to try ousting the militants with weapons of their own. Despite church leaders urging them not to pursue violence, the youths nonetheless killed several of the militants.

• VOM Volunteer Murdered by Militants

  A man from Nigeria holds up copies of the VOM-Nigeria newsletter.

  Militants from the Islamic group Boko Haram murdered a VOM volunteer in Gwoza, Borno state, in late April. "His death shocked almost all the Christian community," reported another VOM worker in the country.

• Hundreds of Girls Kidnapped by Boko Haram

  Pray for the safety of Nigeria's innocent and most vulnerable citizens.

  The predominantly Christian enclave of Chibok in Borno State has been thrown into chaos over the abduction of girls from a secondary school. While many of the schoolgirls (who range in age from 16 to 20) belong to different churches in the area, there were also some innocent Muslim students in attendance at the school during the incident.

• More than 100 Killed in Brutal Attacks

  Damages from the attack Photo: World Watch Monitor

  More than 150 people were killed recently in separate attacks on predominantly Christian villages. Late at night on March 14th, suspected Fulani militants armed with guns and machetes raided three villages -- Ugwar Sankwai, Ungwan Gata and Chenshyi -- in Kaduna state, killing at least 114 people. Many of the victims were burned alive. The casualties included a pastor's wife and her three children.

• Over 100 Fatalities in Weekend Killing Spree

  Scars on Adamu Musa, shot by Boko Harm in a 2013 attack on I Gava West village. Photo: Morning Star News

  In the dark of the night on February 15th, Boko Haram militants chanting "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") attacked the predominantly Christian village of Izghe in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. After ordering the villagers to gather together, the assailants then opened fire, chasing down anyone who attempted to escape. At least 100 were murdered. The gunmen, who were wearing military fatigues, also set fire to houses, looted food supplies and stole several vehicles.