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Nigeria

• Pastor and wife killed

  Suspected Islamists abducted and killed a pastor and his wife in Boto village, Bauchi state in northern Nigeria on April 13. Pastor Ishaku Kadah (48) and his wife Selina (45) were abducted from the headquarters of their church, which was also their home. Their burned bodies were discovered hours later. Police have reportedly arrested two suspects and have launched a man-hunt for several other accomplices involved in the murder. Pastor Ishaku's church previously came under attack in late January by Islamic extremists who set fire to the building mere days after Christians displaced by violence in Plateau state had taken refuge on the premises (click here for more on the violence in Plateau state). (Source: Compass Direct)

  Ask God to fill those who mourn for Ishaku and Selina with a peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Lord will bring their murderers to justice. Pray for cross-bearing disciples in Nigeria that are committed to working for peace and reconciliation in the nation.

  For more information on Nigeria's suffering Christians,click here.

• Thirteen Christians killed near Jos

  Photos from Compass Direct

  Thirteen Christians were killed on March 17 when Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacked two Christian villages in Plateau state, Nigeria. The attacks were presumably sparked by a dispute over property. The assailants, some of whom were dressed in military uniforms, attacked Byei and Baten villages at approximately 1:00 a.m. Among those killed were children and two pregnant women. One woman and her son had their tongues cut out, while another woman and her two young children were burned alive in their home. Several other believers have been hospitalized for gunshot or machete wounds. Twenty homes were also burned down in the villages. This latest attack comes less than two weeks after a massive assault, also in Plateau state, in which approximately 500 people were killed (click here for more information). (Sources: Compass Direct, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

  Ask the Lord to supply the loved ones of those killed with comfort and grace as they mourn. Pray for healing for those with injuries. Pray that God will fill Nigerian believers' hearts with peace beyond comprehension in the midst of terrible violence.

  To find out more about persecution in Nigeria, go to theNigeria Country Report.

• Christians brutally massacred in Plateau state

  Photo from Christian Solidarity Worldwide

  Muslims launched deadly attacks on Christians in the three farming villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Rastat in Plateau state near the city of Jos, Nigeria on March 7. The Muslim attackers, members of the Fulani ethnic group, killed hundreds of Christians, many of whom were women and children. The majority of the believers were members of the Berom ethnic group. "We were woken up by gunshots in the middle of the night, and before we knew what was happening, our houses were torched and they started hacking down people," said one survivor. The Muslims rampaged through homes while chanting "Allah Akbar" and brutally attacked people with knives and machetes. They also set fire to houses, burning approximately 75 to the ground. Sources estimate that around 500 people were killed in the violence.

  The attack is the latest in several recent religious clashes in the state (click here for more information). While the country is almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims, the state is predominantly Christian. The Muslim minority has long contested ownership of land in the state, intensifying tension between the two groups. (Source: Compass Direct, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

  Pray that those in turmoil due to these attacks will look to the God of all comfort for strength and peace (2 Corinthians 1). Pray that violence will not beget violence, but that Christians will demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus. Pray that God will advance His peace throughout Nigeria.

  For more information about suffering believers in Nigeria,click here.

• Deadly mob violence erupts in Jos

  At least 100 people were killed, hundreds injured and homes and religious sites burned when mob violence erupted between Muslims and Christians in Jos, Nigeria on January 17. The violence was reportedly sparked by Muslim youths disrupting a worship service at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in the nearby city of Nasarawa Gwong. Muslims then continued attacks in the area, burning the buildings of the Christ Apostolic Church, Assemblies of God Church, three branches of the Church of Christ in Nigeria and two buildings of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. The Nigerian army has been summoned to try to restore order to the region, but many believers remain fearful of further clashes. (Sources: Compass Direct, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

  Pray that law and order will be restored in this region. Pray that Christians will not retaliate with further violence but will show Christ-like love. Ask God to give strength to Christians in Jos to remain steadfast in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray for those who have lost loved ones and property in the riots.

  To find out more about the struggles Christians face in Nigeria,click here.

• Pastors beheaded in Borno state

  Twelve Christians were killed, including three pastors, in northern Nigeria after members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram launched attacks on police and government bases on July 26. The violence, which began in Bauchi state, spread to the states of Borno, Kano and Yobe. Churches were set ablaze and several people were abducted, including Christians. Many believers were threatened with death if they refused to convert to Islam. According to an August 6 report from The Daily Sun, three pastors -- Pastor Sabo Yukubu, Pastor Sylvester Akpan and Pastor George Orji -- were brutally beheaded by assailants who were reportedly acting on the instruction of the militant group's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who was later killed by authorities. The militants attempted to force the pastors to convert to Islam, but they refused to abandon their faith. They were then beheaded by guards who shouted "Allah Akbar" and fired several gunshots into the air in celebration.

  Pray that God will comfort the families of those killed in these attacks. Pray that the peace of Christ will rule the hearts and minds of Nigerian Christians in the face of ongoing threats and danger (Philippians 4:7).

  To find out more about how Christians suffer in Nigeria,click here.

• Mob violence against Christians in Niger State

  On April 13, a mob of suspected Islamic militants attacked a group of Christians who were peacefully marching through the town of Gwada in an Easter Monday celebration in Niger State, Nigeria. Approximately 25 were injured and three churches were torched in the violence. Attacks also occurred in the capital city of Minna, where assailants attempted to set a church building on fire. Cars were burned and vandalized and several believers were stabbed. At last report, approximately 110 suspects were arrested for their involvement in the attacks.

  Pray for lasting peace in Nigeria. Pray that Christians will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

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

• Christians killed, property destroyed in Bauchi At least 11 people were killed, over 1,500 displaced, and dozens of homes and churches burned during a weekend of violence in Bauchi state, Nigeria, according to a February 23 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. When a mosque was set on fire in the early hours of February 21, Muslims blamed Christians and began attacking believers and destroying their property. However, local Christians believe the mosque's destruction was the work of Muslim militants seeking a pretext to attack Christians in retaliation for the loss of Muslim lives in Jos (read the story). According to local sources, some of the displaced believers have taken shelter in military barracks and are without sufficient food and water. Although a curfew was imposed in the area, attacks continued for several days and believers fear further violence.

  Pray for lasting peace in Nigeria. Pray for healing for those injured and provision for those displaced. Pray that believers will be Christ-like in how they interact with their Muslim neighbours.

  To find out more about how Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, go to theNigeria Country Report.

• Update: Hundreds dead, thousands displaced after violence

  Joseph Yari, one of those killed in the attacks Photo fromCompass Direct

  The Christian community in Jos, Nigeria is still reeling from riots that broke out on November 28-29 following local elections (click here for more information). According to a December 11 report from Compass Direct, six pastors were murdered, at least 500 other people killed, and 40 church buildings were destroyed in the sweeping violence. More than 25,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are taking refuge at military and police barracks. Authorities have detained approximately 500 people in connection with the violence. According to a church leader in Jos, the attacks were "not political but pre-meditated under the guise of elections."

  For more updates on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,click here.

• Christians attacked by Muslims

  Anti-Christian violence erupted in the central Nigerian city of Jos on November 28 following a local election. Sixteen church buildings were ravaged by Muslim mobs, thousands of Christians fled from their homes, and sources estimate that hundreds were killed. Although initial reports blamed the local governmental elections as the catalyst for the violence, Christian groups in Nigeria maintain that the voting process was peaceful and that the attacks occurred before the results were even announced. Other news reports have also suggested that Christians were responsible for the deaths of 300 Muslims; however, local security sources insist that the Muslims were shot by authorities when they defied the imposed curfew and launched fresh attacks. Some sources suspect that the violence may have been planned in advance since the majority of the 500 arrested Muslims have told police that they arrived in Jos three days prior to the attacks from neighbouring Niger or from northern Nigerian states. Some of the arrested were also wearing fake police and military uniforms.

  Ask God to bring peace to the unstable Nigerian regions where Christians are targeted. Pray that any Christians who retaliated violently will repent and seek to walk Christ's path of discipleship.

  Learn more about how Christians are persecuted in Nigeria at theNigeria Country Report. To see our blog on this situation, click here.

• Church buildings destroyed in northern Nigeria
  Two church buildings were destroyed within days of each other in the northern Nigerian town of Yelwa, Bauchi state, according to a November 20 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. On November 16, the foundation of the Church of Christ building was dismantled by local Muslims. Although authorities subsequently placed a guard at the premises, another church building only two kilometres away was burned to the ground on November 18.

  Pray that Nigerian Christians in Yelwa will continue to worship together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask God to move in the lives of those who persecute believers in northern Nigeria.

  Learn more about Nigeria's suffering Christians from theNigeria Country Report.