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Nigeria

• Dozens Kidnapped from Two Church Services

  

  Suspected Fulani herdsmen stormed a church in Suleja, Niger State, in the early morning of September 17th. Several of the church members who had gathered for an all-night prayer vigil were kidnapped, along with the pastor.

• More Chibok School Hostages Freed!

  

  Eight years ago, over 200 girls were abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria, and held hostage by Boko Haram, a militant Islamic group that is fiercely opposed to what they define as "Western education." Over the years, a number of the former schoolgirls managed to escape, and more than 100 others have been freed through negotiations. Unfortunately, approximately 100 of the seized students were still missing.

• Attacks Resulting in Fatalities and Kidnappings

  

  More than 20 Christians lost their lives in attacks that took place recently in Nigeria's Taraba State during the first half of August. In one such incident, the St. Agnes Catholic Church in the village of Dinya was raided on August 14th. At the time of the attack, a spiritual teacher working for the church was kidnapped by the perpetrators. According to the parish priest, Rev. Lawrence Awua, the assailants entered the building at around 10 p.m. and began shooting sporadically. The church's teacher, Gidion Tsehemba, heard the noise and came to investigate, which led to his abduction.

• Gunmen Kill Pastor's Sons and Abduct Daughter

  

  Gunmen broke into the home of Pastor Daniel Umaru in Njairi, Adamawa State, during the early morning hours of July 6th. The results of the attack were devastating to the family. While Pastor Daniel survived the gunshot wound, his two sons were killed during the attack, and his 13-year-old daughter, Ijagla, was abducted. The pastor's wife was left in a state of unconsciousness due to the shock.

• Two Chibok Schoolgirls Rescued!

  

  After more than eight years in captivity, two of the girls kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Nigeria, have managed to gain their freedom. Hauwa Joseph and Mary Douda were among the more than 270 girls who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14th, 2014 (see this report).

• Dozens Slain in Recent Church Attack

  

  Hundreds of Christians were gathered to celebrate Pentecost Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria, on June 5th when the service was disrupted by gunshots and explosions. As worshippers attempted to flee the building, gunmen shot them down, both inside and outside the building. When the bloodshed was complete, dozens lay dead – including children. Surviving victims were rushed to the hospital with injuries. It is believed that the number of fatalities could reach as high as 100.

• Video Released Revealing Execution of Christians

  

  On May 10th, a video was released by the Amaq News Agency, a news outlet linked to the self-proclaimed "Islamic State" terrorist group. The video shows the execution of 20 Nigerian men, all believed to be affiliated with Christianity, along with a threatening statement from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) declaring that the slaying is intended as a warning to Christians around the world. The spokesperson in the video also states that the killing was in retaliation for the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the former leader of the Islamic State who died during a raid committed in Syria on February 3rd by American special forces.

• College Student Killed for Alleged Blasphemy

  

  A 25-year-old Christian student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state, Nigeria, was killed by a mob on May 12th after rumours spread that she had blasphemed against Mohammed on a WhatsApp group chat. The precise nature of her comments is unclear, but it appears that the problem started when Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu expressed exasperation at religious posts being shared by her classmates, asking that the others focus on issues related to their course work. Apparently, Deborah also rejected advances from one of the other students, who later made the blasphemy accusation.

• Attacks Against Christians Expand to a New State

  

  An explosion rocked a market in Isware, Nigeria, on April 19th, killing six people and injuring more than a dozen. In a statement issued the next day, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility, stating that the attack was intended to target "a gathering of infidel Christians."

• Multiple Attacks on Christian Villages

  

  The Nigerian state of Kaduna experienced multiple attacks on predominantly Christian villages between March 17th and March 24th. Due to the nature of these recent attacks, the exact number of victims is not yet clear, but survivors estimate that over 80 villagers were killed and approximately 150 others kidnapped.