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Nigeria

• Armed Muslim from Niger help kill Christians

  Angry youths killing innocent people in a previous attack in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Photo: Assist News

  Armed Muslims from Niger entered Nigeria's Kaduna state this month to help Islamists there invade Christian communities, where they killed two Christians, including a 10-year-old boy, area sources said. In the early morning hours of August 21, the armed Muslim group entered Fadiya Bakut village in Bajju district of the Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, and attacked the home of Andrew Allahmagani, the district head in Fadiya, Allahmagani told Compass contacts by telephone. "They moved to the quarters of my brother, where they shot and killed my nephew, Fidelis Ishaku, who was 10 years old, and shot and injured my mother, who is 70." A Christian security guard at the house, 52-year-old Zaman Kaki, was killed in the attack by about 10 assailants armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, Allahmagani said. The slain boy's grandmother, Laraba Ishaku, was wounded but received treatment.

  Jonathan Asake, a former member of Nigeria's National Assembly, confirmed the attack, as did Kaduna State Police Spokesman Aminu Lawal, who said one of the assailants has been arrested. "It is true that a security guard was killed, and a small boy was also killed," he said. "The target was not only the Christian community leader but also the Fadiya Bakut community."

  Please pray the Lord will bring rest and peace to these two nations. Pray He will frustrate the plans of the enemy. Ask Him to comfort the grieving, praying their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5).

  Learn about Nigeria at the Nigeria Country Report.

• Christians slaughtered; army accused of aiding militants

  A doctor tends to one of the victims of an Islamist attack on Christians in Heipang village, Plateau state. Photo: Compass Direct

  Muslim extremists, with the alleged help of Nigerian army personnel, killed 24 Christians last month in central Nigeria's Plateau state. The attacks started on August 11 in Ratsa Foron village and continued there on August 15, leaving six Christians dead. Also on August 15 in Heipang village, Muslim extremists killed nine members of one Christian family along with another believer. "I can swear to God Almighty that the attack was carried out with the support of the soldiers; I saw them," said a tearful Nnaji John, who lost her family in the attack. On August 14, in the community of Chwelnyap in Jos, Muslim extremists killed two Christians and injured one woman. A few days later, on August 21, assaults in Kwi, Loton and Jwol villages resulted in the deaths of six more Christians. Sources added that Nigerian army soldiers participated in the assaults or at least accompanied the assailants.

  Plateau Governor Jonah Jang called for immediate withdrawal of the Nigerian army because he believed Muslims in the army had taken sides with Islamist assailants. "I am convinced that the armed forces are being polluted with the religious crisis in the country," Jang said. "Before now, the military personnel used to stay in the barracks, but today the armed forces have started taking sides in this religious crisis, and if they are not called to order it will be dangerous for the country."

  Please pray the Lord will have mercy on this nation, pour out His Spirit and loosen the hold the enemy has over many of its people; for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Pray the Lord will give wisdom and strength to those in authority. Ask Him to comfort those who have suffered as a result of ongoing violent attacks.

  Go to the Nigeria Country Report for more information about persecution in Nigeria.

• Pastor killed in Borno state

  Rev. David Usman and his wife at his 2009 ordination Photo: Compass Direct

  Two Christians were recently killed by members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram in the northeastern town of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Pastor David Usman (45) and Hamman Andrew, the church secretary, were shot dead near the church in an area of Maiduguri called the Railway Quarters. In 2009, when the church was set on fire by militants, Pastor David had reportedly raised the problem of Boko Haram with his superiors and commented that the Government needed to do more to stop their aggression.

  Boko Haram, a sect committed to extending strict Islamic or Sharia law across Nigeria, has been responsible for several recent attacks in the region, including deadly bombings. The violence has been widely interpreted as a protest against April's national elections, which returned Christian incumbent Goodluck Jonathan to power. The fighting has left many in the Christian community terrified for their lives. "We no longer feel free moving around the city and most churches no longer carry out worship services for fear of becoming targets of these unprovoked attacks," said one local pastor.

  Thank the Lord for the life and faith of Pastor David and Hamman. Ask God to surround their grieving loved ones with his comfort. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be emboldened and sustained by the Holy Spirit as they serve the Lord in a climate of intense violence. Pray that those who persecute Christians in Nigeria will repent and embrace Christ as Lord.

  For more information on suffering Christians in Nigeria, please visit theNigeria Country Report.

• Muslim attackers kill 17 Christians

  One of the burnt houses in Kurume Dodo Photo: Compass Direct

  Kurume Dodo, a Christian settlement in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi state witnessed a horrific attack by Fulani Muslims on May 5. Villagers were ambushed by their attackers who came in large numbers with various weapons, unleashing their attack on both the young and old. Seventeen Christians were killed. As a result, many Christians in Kurume Dodo have deserted their homes and taken refuge in neighbouring villages.

  Hundreds have died in clashes in Nigeria following national elections last month in which Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, won the presidential poll against a Muslim, Muhammadu Buhari. There are fears that the same Muslim groups that have been attacking Christian villages in and around Jos may have moved into the southern part of Bauchi state where 90 percent of Christians in the state reside. A representative from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who spoke with VOM sources confirmed that many villages are under serious threat.

  Please pray for Christians in Kurume Dodo and all of northern Nigeria who are suffering severely because of their faith. Pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones. Pray the Lord will provide comfort and the grace to overcome violence and hatred with love and forgiveness.

  Read more about the persecuted Church in Nigeria at theNigeria Country Report.

• Christians killed in targeted attacks

  At least 24 Christians have been killed in targeted attacks around Jos, Plateau state, since January 27, as sectarian rioting continues. At least six people were killed in a raid on Dorowa village in the Barkin Ladi area, and 18 others died in neighbouring Christian villages. More than 30 homes in Dorowa were burnt down. Six villages in total in Barkin Ladi were attacked.

  Meanwhile, sectarian violence continues in parts of central Nigeria. In Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state, 35 people died in clashes on January 27, police reportedly told news agency Agence France-Presse. Arson attacks in the town destroyed five mosques and 50 houses. An unexploded bomb was found and defused in a Methodist church in Bauchi city on January 31. Last weekend, churches, mosques and homes throughout Jos were set ablaze during rioting.

  Christian leaders in the region continue to call on officials to ensure that the Joint Task Force charged with peacekeeping in the region becomes more proactive in protecting vulnerable Christian communities. Christians in the city of Maiduguri in Borno state are also fearful after Islamist sect Boko Haram murdered the governorship candidate, Modu Fannami Gubio, and five others on January 28.

  Pray those who suffer tremendous physical pain and trials will be strengthened and delivered by the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Ask the Lord to equip those in authority to protect Christians from further attacks. Pray He will heal and minister to those who are hurt and grieving. Pray against the enemy's plans for any further violence.

  Learn more about the persecution of believers in Nigeria at theEthiopia Country Report.

• Deadly bomb attacks over Christmas weekend

  Militants set a Borno state church on fire on Christmas Eve.

  At least 38 people were killed in deadly bomb attacks in northern and central Nigeria over Christmas weekend. On December 24, four explosions went off in two Christian neighbourhoods in the city of Jos, Plateau State. More than 28 people were seriously injured in the blasts. Christians were also attacked in Borno state on Christmas Eve when heavily armed militants set a church on fire. The church's pastor and four elders were burnt to death. The Islamists also shot and killed three church members outside the building. Islamists had reportedly been threatening to disrupt the Christian celebrations in Jos. On December 28, members of the Boko Haram Islamist group posted a statement on their website, claiming responsibility for the attacks. Both regions of Nigeria have seen deadly violence between Muslims and Christians in recent years (click here for more).

  Ask God to comfort those affected by these attacks. Pray God's peace will reign throughout Nigeria. Pray Christians will respond with Christ-like love, not retaliation to these attacks. Pray Nigerian Christians will draw near to God and rely on Him to equip them to stand for Him, even in a climate of violence.

  For more on the sufferings of Christians in Nigeria, go to theNigeria Country Report.

• More deadly attacks on Christians

  Muslims attacked the predominately Christian village of Mazzah, near the city of Jos, on July 17, killing eight people and burning seven houses and a church building. At approximately 1:30 a.m., Muslims entered the village and began shooting sporadically in the air to lure sleeping residents outside their homes. They then attacked people with machetes, including children. Seven were killed instantly, while another died on the way to the hospital. Three others were seriously injured.

  During the attack, Reverend Nuhu Dawat of the Church of Christ in Nigeria escaped with one of his children, but his wife and two other children were killed. His grandson, Nanfa, was shot in the foot, thrown in a bathroom and left to die. Fortunately, he was found by the police and taken to hospital, where he is recuperating well.

  Villagers claim that although the security forces were called and arrived in time to quell the violence, they waited until the attack had ended before entering Mazah. The area is currently reported to be "quiet but tense." Some residents have fled the area in fear of further violence.

  The attack followed recent clashes in eastern Nigeria in which eight people were also killed and several buildings torched (click here for more). Some observers say the violent attacks are the result of religion being exploited in the struggle for local power. There is also fear that such conflict could increase in the run up to elections expected early next year. (Source: AFP, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

  Please pray that those who have lost loved ones will know God's comfort. Pray for Nigerian authorities as they seek to restore law and order in the region. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice. Ask God to enable Nigerian Christians to respond to their persecutors in a Christ-like manner, with forgiveness and without retaliation.

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

• Eight Christians killed by Muslims

  Muslims recently attacked Christian villages and killed at least eight Christians in Kaduna and Plateau states of northern Nigeria. On July 3, five believers, including a primary school teacher and mother of six children, were killed by Muslims in Kizachi village in Kaduna State. The Muslims also burned down five homes belonging to Christians. Local sources reported that the police had stopped protecting the village on July 2 after the government failed to pay their salaries.

  The next evening, Muslims armed with guns and machetes invaded Ganawuri community, near Jos. Three Christians are presumed to be dead. A spokesperson of the Nigerian military's Special Task Force (STF) said the attackers were suspected herdsmen from neighbouring communities of Kaduna State. STF received an emergency call and, upon response, a fire fight ensued with the attackers. One of the attackers was shot and six were arrested. Those arrested have since been handed over to the state police for further investigations.

  This latest violence came on the heels of a March 7 attack against Christians in Jos in which approximately 500 people, mainly women and children, were murdered (click here for more information). It is estimated that many more thousands of Christians have been killed in northern Nigeria since the introduction of Shariah law in 2001. (Source: International Christian Concern)

  Please pray against further violence and unrest in Nigeria. Ask the Lord to give strength and wisdom to those in authority to help them deal with this situation. Pray that He will comfort those who are suffering. Pray that the Lord will use the testimony of believers in Nigeria to strengthen His church and greatly add to its number.

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

• Church property attacked by Muslims in Kano state

  Muslim youths launched an attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) premises in Kano state in northern Nigeria on May 19, destroying two church buildings and a pastor's residence. The attack reportedly grew out of a land dispute. "The problem started when some Christian youths of ECWA church were converted to Islam," said the Rev. Lado Abdul, chairman of ECWA district in Kano. "They swore that the ECWA church would not remain in the area, as they would do everything possible to chase Christians out from Kiru." Abdul also lamented the denial of rights to Christians in Kano by area Muslims. "Here in Kano, nobody gives you land to build a church," he said. "The old churches built before now are being demolished for reasons no one can easily grasp." Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack and police are reportedly continuing to investigate the situation. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray that the believers of this church will be bold in faith in the midst of opposition. Ask God to work in the hearts and lives of militant Muslims in Nigeria, drawing them to repentance and faith in Him (Acts 9:1-19). Pray for peace throughout Nigeria.

  For more information on the persecution of Nigerian Christians,click here.

• Christians killed by Muslim youths in Jos

  Nathan S. Dabak & Sunday Gyang Bwede Photos from Compass Direct

  Seven people were killed by Muslim youths on April 24 in Jos, Nigeria. Thirty-six year old Nathan S. Dabak, an assistant editor, and 39-year-old Sunday Gyang Bwede, a reporter, were on their way to interview a local politician in Gado-Bako when they were attacked by youths who stabbed them to death. Both men were journalists for "The Light Bearer," a newspaper published by the Church of Christ in Nigeria. An unidentified motorcyclist was also killed in the attack. Only weeks ago, a pastor of the same church was murdered along with his wife in Bauchi state (click here for more information).

  Four other Christians were murdered on the same day in Dutse Uku district following the discovery of the body of a teenage Muslim who had gone missing. The believers, three of whom were stabbed, were killed when hundreds of Muslim youths rampaged throughout the area in protest. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for the family members and friends mourning the loss of these believers. Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Ask God to change the hearts and minds of the Muslim youths who perpetrated this violence. Pray for lasting peace in Nigeria.

  To find out more about persecution in Nigeria, please visit theNigeria Country Report.