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Nigeria

  • 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 from    Compass 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.
  • Church burned down by Muslims in Kwara

    The Christ Apostolic Church
    Photo from    Compass Direct
    Muslim militants burned down a Christ Apostolic Church building on August 31 in the capital city of Baboko, Kwara state complaining that it was too close to a mosque, according to a September 2 report from Compass Direct. At the time of the attack, the Christians were worshipping together at another location because of a relocation order issued by the government in response to complaints. The church building, which is 500 metres from the local mosque, was previously attacked by militants on June 16 when Muslims broke into the sanctuary and destroyed property.

    Pray that these believers will stand firm and grow in faith as they face opposition. Pray that the passion of God's people in Nigeria will be a light that draws others to Christ.

    To learn more about how Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, go to theNigeria Country Report.
  • Government Authorities Demolish Church in Kano State

    Kano State, NigeriaState Environmental Protection Agency (KASEPA) employees along with police officers demolished a Catholic church in Naibawa, Kano state on the morning of June 19, according to a June 20 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. According to local sources, Christ the King Church had received an official letter in early June ordering them to vacate their property. Church officials had subsequently written a letter of appeal to local authorities and were awaiting a response when KAPESA workers and police officers turned up unexpectedly. Musical instruments and other objects were stolen, the building was bulldozed and the remaining property was set on fire.

    Pray for the continued ministry of church fellowships in Kano, despite the opposition they face. Pray that, in the face of their property loss, they will know that they have "better and lasting possessions"
    (Hebrews 10:36, 37).

    For more information on persecution in Nigeria, go to theNigeria Country Report.
  • Teenage Girls Kidnapped By Muslims; Rescue Incites Rampage
    Photos fromCompass Direct
    On May 12, the police rescued two Christian girls, Mary Chikwodi Okoye (15) and Uche Edward (14), who were kidnapped by Muslim militants three weeks ago in the town of Ningi, Bauchi state, according to a May 19 report from Compass Direct. The kidnappers initially took the girls to the house of a Muslim leader in the town of Wudil. Okoye's foster father and a group of believers heard where the girls were being held. When they arrived at the home, however, the girls had been relocated to the residence of a Muslim leader in Ningi. When the team went to this home they were told by the leader that the girls had converted to Islam and could not be released. The police then stepped in and evacuated the girls to eastern Nigeria where they were reunited with their biological parents.

    The following day, Muslims associated with a paramilitary arm of Kano state's Sharia Commission went on a rampage, attacking Christians and setting fire to local churches, in protest of the girls' release. Six church buildings -- the Deeper Life Bible Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, All Souls Anglican Church, Church of Christ in Nigeria, Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the Redeemed Peoples Mission -- were destroyed in the attack. The Muslims also attacked shops belonging to Okoye's foster father, looting and destroying goods worth over 50 million naira ($430,360 CAD).

    Thank the Lord that Mary and Uche were safely released. Ask God to strengthen those affected by the mob attack to remain steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10). Pray that young Christian girls in Nigeria who have been kidnapped by Muslims will remain strong in faith and be freed.

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

    Go to www.vomcanada.com for a preview of VOMC's new DVD, "Nigerian Voices: Testimonies of the Persecuted."
  • Spurned Love Sparks Violence

    Designated photo from
    Five church buildings were destroyed, several people injured, and the homes of a number of Christians burned in violence in Yana, Bauchi state, Nigeria on February 2, according to a February 12 report from Compass Direct. On the evening of February 1, Patience Yusuf met with an unidentified Muslim man outside her home upon his request. The man told her that he wanted to befriend and marry her but Yusuf refused him. The man begged her "in the name of God and his apostle, Muhammad," to become his girlfriend. Yusuf again refused, saying: "You are pleading in the name of a person I do not know. Jesus I know, but Muhammad I do not know." The man left and later that night told friends and neighbours that Yusuf had blasphemed against Muhammad.

    The next morning, he led a group of Muslims to Yusuf's house to confront her. She escaped to the local police station for protection but the mob followed her and demanded that she be killed for her alleged crime in accordance with Islamic law. When the police refused to give her up, the Muslims attacked the officers and burned down the station. Shortly afterwards, hundreds of armed Muslims rioted in the streets, attacking and injuring several Christians. Buildings belonging to the Evangelical Church of West Africa, the Church of Nigeria, the Apostolic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of Christ in Nigeria were destroyed. Approximately 1,000 people were reportedly displaced in the violence.

    Pray that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable and that justice will be fairly administered. Pray for those who must now rebuild their churches and homes in the wake of the violence. Pray that Christians in Yana, Nigeria will find strength in the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

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

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