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Nigeria

• Christians Targeted by Militants in Ruthless Attacks

  Militants burned down several houses & villages such as these. Photo: Barnabas Aid

  Boko Haram militants recently targeted Christians two times in less than a week in Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Adamawa is one of three northeastern states in which the Nigerian government declared a military state of emergency in May of last year.

• More than 30 Killed in Attack on Christian Village

  Bata Badugu, 75, and granddaughter Lydia, both injured in Shonong attack Photo: Morning Star News

  More than 30 believers were killed on January 6th when hundreds of Fulani Muslim herdsmen, armed with guns and machetes, stormed Shonong village in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State. According to local Christians, the soldiers stationed at the village to protect the believers joined the herdsmen in the assault.

• Christian Villages Attacked; Believers Pressured to Recant

  Approximately 40 people were tragically murdered in the early hours of November 26th when assailants launched attacks on four Christian-majority villages in Plateau State. Those murdered included pregnant women and young children. The attackers are believed to be members of the Fulani tribe, which is predominately Muslim. Some Christian leaders believe Islamic militants are inciting the Fulani people to attack believers in order to acquire their land.

• Innocent Civilians Killed in Recent Extremist Raids

  Two pastors have been killed and three churches destroyed, as militants attack yet more civilian targets in northeast Nigeria. In Borno state, a pastor was killed on September 26th when militants raided and set fire to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) which is located in Barawa village. Another EYN church was burned down in nearby Chikide village.

• Twenty-Five Christian Buildings Marked for Demolition

  A church that was destroyed in Yobe State, Nigeria

  Government authorities in northern Nigeria's Borno state plan to demolish 25 churches and schools, ostensibly to make room for new housing. However, no plans for the housing development have been produced. Christian leaders believe this is yet another attempt by local governments in northern Nigeria to persecute the Christian minority. (Other informative reports can be accessed at the Nigeria Country Report.)

• Fatal Attack Perpetrated by Militant Herdsmen and Soldiers

  Dauda Dalyop Photo: Morning Star News

  During a night raid by militant Muslims in Plateau state, a Christian man and his two teenage sons were tragically killed, and his wife critically wounded. At about 10 p.m. on September 3rd, ethnic Fulani herdsmen and soldiers raided Gura Dabwam village (near Jos in Gyel District), killing the 42-year-old father, Dauda Dalyop, and his two sons: Bitrus, 17, and Daniel, 15. The attack has also left Dauda's wife, Kangyang, 35, in critical condition at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital. Surprisingly, their 5-year-old son Dantong survived the attack unharmed.

• Minor Provocation Incites Muslim Mob to Attack Church

  Property damaged at St. James Anglican Cathedral Photo: Morning Star News

  Several attendants of a church in Lafia, Nasarawa, were severely injured by a mob of Muslim militants in an attack that was prompted by an altercation over a miniscule amount of money. During the early evening of August 17th, while the choir was rehearsing, Rev. Isaac Onwusongaonye held a Bible study meeting with the elders of St. James Anglican Cathedral. At the time of the meeting, he was informed about a confrontation that took place at the church's water borehole. The confrontation led to a violent assault against the church building and those in it. Reportedly, a Muslim woman in the community had incited neighbouring militants to attack the church after engaging in a minor dispute with a young Christian man who runs the borehole...over the payment of 20 naira, which is equivalent to about one cent (CAD) in change.

• Multiple Bomb Explosions Target Nigeria's Christian Population

  Multiple explosions hit a highly populated area within the Christian district of Sabon Gari in Kano city at around 9:30 p.m. on July 29th. The military confirmed that 12 people have died at the scene of the blasts and a couple of others were wounded. However, a spokesperson for the local Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital has claimed that more than 20 fatalities took place as a result of the blast.

  This same area was previously attacked by the militant Islamic group, Boko Haram, with the intent of totally wiping out Christianity from the region. In May, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in some northeastern areas of the country. The government has since announced its dedication in cracking down on militant Islamists. It was announced by Nigerian authorities on July 30th that 42 suspected members of Boko Haram have been arrested so far. For an overview on the tremendous challenges Christians have been facing in Nigeria, please see this report.

  The Lord is clearly hearing our prayers on behalf of our dear fellow believers in Nigeria through the government's willingness to provide greater protection and diligently track down the militants who are causing much loss, upheaval and pain in the lives of so many innocent people. May He continue to give President Goodluck Jonathan and his political team wisdom as they handle the perpetrators and bring assistance to the wounded and bereaved. Also ask for God's peace, comfort and healing to be upon the surviving victims and their loved ones.

• Killing Spree Spurs Manhunt for Terrorists

  Pray for wisdom for Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan Photo: Flickr / GovernmentZA

  On Friday, June 7th, Boko Haram terrorists stormed into a neighbourhood in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 11 innocent people (including one child) with weapons that were hidden in a coffin, local residents testify.

  Since then, more than 60 alleged Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in the same city by local militiamen who are trying to rid the area of this violent Islamic group that has allegedly killed thousands of people, many of them Christians, since their vicious campaign began in 2009. (For more about the situation, click here.) A military spokesperson explained that the troops responded the following Saturday morning, raiding insurgent "hideouts" in the targeted neighbourhoods.

  A former director of the Ministry of Information, who asked for anonymity, told Nigeria's "Daily Post" that 300 youths had been selected as informants. Another media report further explained that "...the youth vigilante groups, who now act as whistle blowers and informants to the security operatives, go from street to street and house to house with machetes, iron bars and wooden batons in their bid to smoke out the remnants of the insurgents from their hiding places and, thereafter, handing them over to the military Joint Task Force in Borno, Operation Restore Order." Justifying their actions, the youths, whose ages range from 15 to 30 years, said they were left with no choice than to join the manhunt of the insurgents for bringing untold hardship to residents of the town, thus putting their own future in jeopardy.

  Pray that God's peace and love will fill the hearts of all Nigeria's citizens so they will live in harmony with one another. While justice does need to prevail...halting the destructive actions of terrorists who have caused the painful loss of many innocent lives, may it be done with great wisdom and in a manner that is pleasing to Him. According to His Word, true change takes place in the heart through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. May this indeed be the case for all who are caught up in the crossfire between the forces of good and evil.
• Suspected Extremists Kill Christian Leader

  Rev. Faye Pama often assisted with the distribution of mission relief packages. Photo: VOM Ministry Partner

  Gunmen believed to be members of the deadly Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, killed Rev. Faye Pama, secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). They reportedly followed the long-time Christian leader from his church building (where he was holding an evening Bible study) to his house in the Government Reservation Area of Maiduguri. The assailants dragged the pastor from his home and shot him outside, despite the desperate pleas of his daughter to spare his life. Rev. Pama was the father of three children.

  The shooting occurred on May 14th, within an hour of Christian President Goodluck Jonathan declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. President Jonathan's declaration comes after April's gun battle in Baga (Borno state) between the military and Boko Haram which took more than 100 civilian lives. The militant group has reportedly killed thousands of people since 2009. For more information on this critical situation, click here.

  As senior pastor of Rhema Assembly, Rev. Pama often spoke out against persecution of Christians in Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Haram attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. He had been involved in ministry leadership for more than 26 years. In a 2007 interview, the dedicated church leader had announced that he would not leave Borno state in spite of the dangerous risks he faced. Rev. Pama believed that only by showing love to Muslims could they be won to Christ "and not through fighting."

  Please uphold Rev. Pama's devastated wife and three children, his ministry associates and congregation, and all who knew him through his very active role in community service. May God's comforting presence bring solace to their grieving hearts and an extra measure of strength as they cope with the aftermath of the tragedy. Ask the Lord to protect other Christian workers who are still ministering in this dangerous zone. Pray, too, for members of the Boko Haram who clearly need to experience God's transforming love and abiding peace in their own lives.