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Nigeria

• Government official arrested following church attacks

  Many churches have been attacked this year by the militant group Boko Haram.

  Nigerian police arrested a government official after gunmen killed 19 Christian worshippers and two soldiers in the town of Otite, Kogi State, on August 6. The police arrested Yahaya Karaku, Special Advisor to the governor of Kogi State, after he was suspected of involvement in an attack at Deeper Life Church. The pastor of the church was among the victims.

  The arrest of the government official is another indication of the possible infiltration of radical Muslims in the Nigerian government structure. In his speech at a Nigerian church in January, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, said that his government had been infiltrated by members of Boko Haram.

  Nigerian Christians have been coming under relentless attacks from members of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group. This year alone, militants have killed dozens of Christians. The group fights to establish an Islamic state throughout Nigeria.

  Thank the Lord for this arrest; pray that He will expose the deeds of more perpetrators. Pray for Goodluck Jonathan and members of the Nigerian government, that the Lord will grant them wisdom and discernment. Pray for members of Boko Haram, that many will come to repentance through the work of the Holy Spirit.

  Go to the Nigeria Country Report for more on Nigeria's persecuted Christians.

• Christian family attacked

  Pray that violence against Christians in Nigera will cease. Photo: Compass Direct News

  Muslim extremists attempted to kill a pastor supported by VOM and his family earlier this month in Nigeria.

  At least seven gunmen entered Pastor Audu D. Gadzama's church on August 10, intending to kill the pastor, his wife and his three children. One gunman shot Pastor Audu's 24-year-old son, Thomas, in the leg.

  Pastor Audu ran outside when he heard the gunshot, and the gunmen fired at him as well but missed. The gunmen, assuming both their targets were dead after seeing the men fall to the ground, then entered the house to search for the church key.

  They forced Pastor Audu's wife and other two children to lie on the ground as they set fire to the house and church. The family was able to escape and hide in the bushes as the gunmen fired into the air while shouting, "Allahu Akbar!" The Christians remained in hiding through the night, and the next morning took Thomas to a hospital. The family is now living with another pastor in the area.

  Please pray for the safety of this family. Pray that this incident will not sow anxiety in their hearts, but that they will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray for wisdom for Pastor Audu and other church leaders in Nigeria. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be able to forgive and love their persecutors.

  For more information on persecution in Nigeria, visit the Nigeria Country Report.

• Muslim group demands Christian president to convert or resign

  President Goodluck Jonathan

  In an online video released last week, the militant Muslim group Boko Haram demanded that Nigeria's Christian president either convert to Islam, or resign. Boko Haram head Abubakar Shekau told President Goodluck Jonathan to "repent and forsake Christianity," otherwise Shekau's followers would continue their violent campaign, but presidential spokesman Reuben Abati dismissed the demand.

  As a Christian from Southern Nigeria, Jonathan's candidacy was already problematic since an unwritten agreement stipulated that candidates from the North and South would alternatively hold the presidency. The previous president, Yar'Adua, a Muslim northerner, had just succeeded a two-term Christian when his untimely death prematurely ended his term, causing many Islamists to want the next president to be Muslim again.

  Although Jonathan won the last election by a landslide, more than 800 people were killed and dozens of churches torched during three days of rioting after the election result was announced. Boko Haram has since threatened to cleanse northern Nigeria of its Christians by bombing their churches and attacking their congregations.

  Pray the Lord will protect President Goodluck Jonathan from harm. Pray that he will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute him and his people (Matthew 5:43-48). Pray the Lord will intervene and bring a stop to Boko Haram's plans.

  For more information on persecution in Nigeria, visit the Nigeria Country Report.

• Muslims attack villages in Plateau State

  Remains of a car used by suicide bombers in a February church attack Photo: Compass Direct News

  More than 10 villages outside the city in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, were attacked on July 7, leaving dozens of people dead. Hundreds of Fulani Muslims, many of them wearing military camouflage and bulletproof vests, invaded the villages in the early morning, killing at least 25 people. Several were hospitalized while over a hundred were displaced and sought shelter at churches. The majority of victims were women, children, and the elderly.

  A mass burial was organized for the following day. While those mourning proceeded to the site, they found the burned bodies of approximately 50 others in a torched church building. The victims had reportedly sought shelter at the church after fleeing their homes. During the funeral service, assailants attacked the crowd. Among those killed were two politicians. The total death toll is reported to be over 100 people. Following the attack, angry youths protested in the streets.

  Please pray the Lord will heal and restore those who have suffered as a result of these attacks. Pray that Fulani Muslims will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of the Christians (Romans 12:14, 21). Pray for wisdom and guidance for Nigeria's Christian president, Goodluck Jonathan, and for all those who serve with him as leaders of this nation. Pray that Christians will not retaliate but will demonstrate Christ's love and peace.

  Go to the Nigeria Country Report for more on our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

• Dozens of Christians slain in bombing

  Damages at the Shalom Church in Kaduna city Photo: Compass Direct News

  The Boko Haram Islamic sect has claimed responsibility for the bombing of three churches in Kaduna state, Nigeria, on June 17 -- the third consecutive Sunday that Christian worship services in the country have ended in bloodshed.

  An attacker crashed a car into a barricade at an Evangelical Church Winning All building, detonating a bomb that killed at least 24 people and wounded about 125. Moments later, extremists bombed the Christ the King Catholic Church building in Zaria, killing another dozen people. Not long after, the Shalom Church building in Kaduna city was bombed, killing at least 10. Retaliatory attacks reportedly killed several others.

  Boko Haram has killed at least 560 people this year, according to the Associated Press. The Islamist sect has targeted churches, state offices, law enforcement sites and some moderate mosques in its effort to destabilize the government and impose a strict version of Shariah (Islamic law) on all of Nigeria.

  Please pray that the Lord will bless believers in Nigeria with the strength and compassion to model Christ-like love to all, despite the persecution they face. Please pray that God will grant leaders and law enforcement officers with wisdom and integrity. Pray that the violence will stop and peace and reconciliation will prevail. Pray that, in the meantime, increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Nigeria (Acts 4:29-31).

  Visit the Nigeria Country Report for more information on Nigeria's persecuted Church.

• Blast wreaks bloodshed on two churches in Bauchi

  Casualties from the Sunday morning bombing Photo: Compass Direct News

  A suicide bomber crashed the gate of a church compound in Bauchi, Nigeria, on June 3, killing himself and at least 18 others and leaving more than 30 injured. The bomber, a suspected member of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, detonated the bomb at the gate of the church as members were leaving an early morning worship service.

  The explosion also brought down a wall of an adjacent church, which bore the brunt of the explosion. Twelve cars and a number of buildings were also reported to have been destroyed by the blast.

  Continue to uphold our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who have suffered yet another attack. Pray for comfort and healing for the grieving and the injured. Pray for the church leaders who provide guidance and encouragement to their congregations. Pray this latest tragedy will be used by the Lord to further His kingdom.

  For more information about Nigeria's persecuted Church, please visit the Nigeria Country Report.

• Christians killed, injured

  Debris from an earlier suicide bombing in Nigeria

  On April 29, believers worshipping at Bayero University in the northern city of Kano, Nigeria, were targeted by militants from Boko Haram. The jihadists attacked the open-air service held outside the faculty of medicine, throwing explosive devices amongst the worshippers then chasing and shooting believers as they fled. They also attacked a worship service being held in the sporting complex, again throwing explosive devices amongst the believers who were then chased and gunned down as they ran away. Twenty-one people were killed and more than 20 were treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.

  In an almost simultaneous attack, six Boko Haram gunmen burst into a chapel in the northeast city of Maiduguri, spraying bullets throughout the sanctuary. The pastor and three others who were preparing to serve communion were killed, while others were injured.

  Ask God to surround those who are grieving with His love, peace, and comfort. Pray that the perpetrators of this violence will repent and turn to Jesus Christ. Pray that Christians in Nigeria will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; Hebrews 12:1-3).

  Go to the Nigeria Country Report for more on Nigeria's persecuted Church.

• Suicide bomber targets churches in Kaduna

  Debris from a recent suicide bombing in Nigeria.

  Churches celebrating Easter services were the targets of a suicide bomber who killed at least 38 people on April 8 in Kaduna city in northern Nigeria. Security personnel at one of the church buildings blocked the bomber, believed to belong to the Boko Haram Islamic sect, who then detonated his explosives in the street. Dozens of people were injured in addition to those killed. The bombs damaged the buildings of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Good News church and the All Nations Christian Assembly, besides blasting off roofs from homes and hotels and destroying vehicles. Located on the same street, Gwari Road, are the Redeemed Christian Church of God and an Assemblies of God church.

  Luka Binniyat, a Christian resident of the city, told Compass that law enforcement agents believed the ECWA church was the primary target. "Richard Markus, a detective, mentioned that the bomber's main target was the ECWA Good News church a few metres from the scene of the bomb blast," Binniyat said. "He tried forcing his way past, but the security man stood in between him and the blockade. He even pushed him a ways before some policemen manning the gate of the church rushed down to the scene."

  Boko Haram has targeted state offices, law enforcement sites and some moderate mosques in its effort to destabilize the government and impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law) on all of Nigeria, but Kaduna resident Stanley Yakubu said that Christians are one of its main targets. "The truth is that there is a deliberate effort to silence or eliminate the Christians in the north," he said.

  Please pray for those who are grieving. Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray God will provide medical assistance to the injured and give them the grace to overcome their physical and emotional afflictions. Pray for members of Boko Haram; may the Holy Spirit convict them of sin and guilt and bring them to full repentance.

  For more information on persecution in Nigeria, go to the Nigeria Country Report.

• Suicide bombers attack church

  Emergency workers carry away the body of one killed in the recent suicide bombing in Jos, Nigeria. Photo: Compass Direct News

  A suicide bomber has killed eight people, including two boys and an expectant mother, after detonating an explosive device just outside a church in Nigeria. The car bomb that was detonated outside the gate of St. Finbarr's Catholic Church on March 11 could be heard up to two kilometres away, shattering the glass in buildings within a 200-metre radius. It is believed the attacks are the work of Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group that seeks to impose a strict version of Shariah (Islamic law) in Nigeria.

  The bombing has led to outbreaks of more violence, and some state health and police sources have reported unconfirmed "reprisal" attacks against Muslims. Witnesses have also reported additional deaths of Christians at the hands of military personnel. Some sources said soldiers killed four Christians when they were confronted about how the car containing the bomb had made it past security.

  This is the second such bombing in the Christian community of Jos in Plateau State in recent weeks. An earlier bombing at a church in late February killed several people (for more information, click here).

  Please pray that those mourning the loss of loved ones will find comfort in Christ. Pray for a peace that surpasses all understanding for those living amidst the ensuing violence. Pray that God will give Nigerian Christians the patience to entrust true justice into the hands of God (Romans 12:17-21).

  For more on the persecuted Church in Nigeria, go to the Nigeria Country Report.

• Extremist group plots to 'end the Christian presence' in northern Nigeria

  A recent bombing in Jos is part of an effort to “end the Christian presence” in Nigeria.

  The al-Qaeda linked Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram has declared it is plotting to "end the Christian presence" in much of northern Nigeria. According to a spokesman, the group is preparing to launch a campaign of terror against Christians through kidnapping Christian women and coordinated bombings. The women reportedly will be held for ransom and returned only to Christian families who leave the region. The goal is to eradicate Christians completely so that a "proper Islamic state" might be established. The authorities say Boko Haram is well armed with sophisticated weaponry and munitions. This new threat against Christians is very direct and indicates very dangerous days lie ahead.

  Please pray the Lord will protect and deliver believers in northern Nigeria. Pray He will frustrate the plans of the enemy and though His mercy bring many to repentance. Pray that Christians in Nigeria will not be fearful but trust God (Revelation 2:10).

  Visit the Nigeria Country Report for more information on Nigeria's persecuted Church.