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Nigeria

  • Teacher Killed by Mob of Muslim Students in Northern Nigeria
    Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase
    Photos from    Compass Direct
    Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase, a Christian teacher at Government Day Secondary School in Gombe state was murdered by a mob of Muslim students on March 21, according to a March 27 report from Compass Direct. Olusase was supervising an all-girl class while they were taking an Islamic Religious Knowledge examination. In accordance to school procedure, she collected papers, books and bags before the exam and dropped them in front of the class. One of the girls responded by starting to cry and telling her classmates that there had been a copy of the Quran in her dropped bag. The girl claimed that because Oluwatoyin was a Christian, she had desecrated the Quran by touching it. The students began to shout "Allahu Akbar (God is Great)" and then beat, stoned and clubbed Oluwatoyin to death. They dragged her corpse outside of the building and burned it.

    Pray that those who mourn for Christianah will find the Holy Spirit's comfort to carry them through their grief (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray that the students that killed her will come to repentance and salvation (Acts 9:1-19).

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.
  • Angry Muslim Mobs Burn Churches and Homes

    The recent comments by Pope Benedict XVI in Germany have angered Muslims throughout the world. Some believe this may have contributed to the destruction of churches throughout Dutse, the capital of the Nigerian state of Jigawa on September 20. Problems began after a conversation between a young Muslim man and a Christian woman, Jumai. VOMC sources in Nigeria state that the Muslim man insulted Jumai, saying she was following a "useless Jesus." In response to the insult, Jumai allegedly replied with a similar comment about the prophet Mohammed. As news of the conversation spread, Muslim youths began rioting against Christians because of this alleged blasphemy against Mohammed. As a result, the homes of Christians and as many as eighteen churches were burned. Thankfully there were no deaths, but serious injuries have been reported.

    Police officials report that one thousand people have taken refuge in police stations and the city has been put under a curfew. Sources report that Jumai was taken to the police station for questioning but officials claim it was for her own protection.

    Pray that believers in Dutse will reflect God's love (Matthew 5:43-48) and trust His judgment (Romans 12:17-21) during this difficult time. Ask God to protect Jumai and the other believers in the area.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Nigeria's Christians,click here. Video reports on persecution in Nigeria are also available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Woman Stoned to Death for Street Evangelism

    On June 28, a Muslim mob in the town of Izom in the Nigerian state of Niger overwhelmed police and clubbed a woman to death for participating in street evangelism. News reports claim that the woman was between eighteen and twenty years of age.

    According to reports, the unidentified woman met with a group of Muslim youth outside of the Jumat Mosque in Izom and shared the Gospel with them and gave them some tracts to read. When Muslim leaders learned what she had been doing, they were outraged and claimed that she had insulted Islam and Mohammed and should be killed. Hundreds of Muslims began looking for the woman. When they found her, they began to beat her but police took her into protective custody. The mob threatened to destroy the police station if she was not turned over to them. As police attempted to smuggle her out a back door, their actions were discovered. The police fled and the woman was clubbed and stoned to death. At least two police officers were injured in the attack. Several arrests have been made and the investigation is on-going.

    Pray that, in the midst of their grief, this woman's family and friends will hold to the comfort of knowing that they will be with their loved one at the Christ's return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Pray that the authorities will have the boldness to address this matter in a way that brings about true justice. Pray also that this incident will not result in further violence in the community but that the persecution would result in the furtherance of the gospel of peace (Philippians 1:12).

    For more information on persecution in Nigeria,click here. A video report on the persecution facing Christians in Nigeria is available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Students Missing After Facing Beating

    Two Christian female students from the Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna State , Nigeria went missing after they were severely beaten by seven Muslim women in their dormitory on March 18. The two students, Joy and Priscilla, were preparing to bathe when the seven students, veiled in Islamic robes, attacked them.  They were harassed, intimidated and flogged and left unconscious.  Compass Direct reports that the two were taken to the university clinic and have not been seen since.

    Because of the attack, the university closed for two weeks.  During that time, the university took action against the Muslim Students' Society by removing their leadership for failing to maintain control.  According to the Daily Trust news service, when the university reopened on March 28, there was added security and each student had to sign a pledge to maintain peace and obey the university's rules and regulations.  The university has promised to investigate the attack and punish appropriately.

    Pray that there will soon be news as to the whereabouts of Joy and Priscilla and that they will be recovering from the attack. Pray that the university will take action and that there will be no further incidents of this kind. Pray that the Christians among the student body will not be intimidated but will be emboldened to share Christ with their peers. Ask God to show His love to the young women who were responsible for this brutal attack.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Nigeria ,click here. A video news report from Nigeria is available from VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
  • Riots Kill Dozens

    Riots in Maiduguri in the northern Nigerian state of Borno on February 18 have left as many as fifty-eight people dead, most of them Christians. As Muslims demonstrated against the Mohammed cartoons first published in Denmark, they turned their anger toward local Christians. The demonstrators began destroying shops and homes owned by Christians and burned at least thirty church buildings.  Many of those who were killed were beaten to death in the streets of the city. The Nigerian newspaper, "The Daily Sun" recounted the story of Joseph Tukwa who watched helplessly as six of his children were burnt to ashes.  Father Matthew Gajere was killed in St Rita's Catholic Church after heroically saving the lives of the altar boys who were present. The authorities were eventually able to contain the violence and over 100 arrests have been made.  Soldiers have been sent into the area and a curfew has been imposed.

    Similar demonstrations held on February 18 in the city of Katsina left at least one dead and several injured.

    On February 20, other riots erupted in the city of Bauchi, unconnected to the Danish cartoons.  They began after a teacher tried to confiscate a Quran from a student who was reading it during class.  Word got out alleging that the teacher had desecrated the Quran. Muslim youths retaliated by setting fire to two churches and to several vehicles on the streets.  Police responded with tear gas. When this failed to restore order, they opened fire with live bullets.  At least ten people were killed and over one hundred were treated for injuries.

    Church leaders were fearful of reciprocal violence from among their younger members. The head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola, warned, "CAN may no longer be able to contain our restive youths should this ugly trend continue." Sadly, his fears were realized when Christian youths in the southern city Onitsha went on a rampage on February 21 in reprisal for the violence in the north.  Two mosques were burned and at least six Muslims who were from northern Nigeria were reported to have been killed.

    Pray that the Lord will enable those in authority to stop the violence. Pray that the Christian young people will learn not to respond to violence with violence but with the attitude of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-23). Ask the Lord to bring comfort and peace to those who have lost loves ones in the attacks.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,click here. A video report on Nigeria filmed in late 2005 is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.

    The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada is preparing to send relief aid to the families of those who have suffered in this recent wave of anti-Christian violence in northern Nigeria.  If you would like to assist in letting our brothers and sisters know that they are not forgotten during these days, you can make a donation online to VOMC's "Family of Martyrs Fund."
  • Convert from Islam Kidnapped; Pastor Accused

    Pastor Zacheous Habu Bu Ngwenche has been given until the end of December to free a convert from Islam he is accused of kidnapping.  Otherwise, he could face police detention, even though it is well known that Muslims have kidnapped him.

    According to a December 12 report from Compass Direct, the Nigerian pastor has been assisting Bature Suleimanu Idi in hiding from Muslims who have kidnapped him twice in an attempt to force him to return to Islam.  After Idi was first kidnapped by Muslims in September, they accused Pastor Zacheous of forcibly converting him.  However, police determined that Idi had voluntarily converted and released them.  A few days later, Idi was again abducted by Muslims.  When Ngwenche reported the incident to the police, he was detained for seven days until fellow Christians were able to raise the money for his bail.  Idi remains in captivity and Ngwenche is facing detention for the kidnapping.

    Pray that the truth will prevail in this case. Pray that Pastor Zacheous will have Christ's love for the Muslims in his area that so deeply need the love of Christ. Pray that he will know the blessings that Christ promised for those who are falsely accused for His sake. Ask God to fill him with peace as he faces his accusers and that all accusations will be dropped. Pray that Idi will grow quickly in his faith, that he would have the strength to stand firm in the face of persecution and that he will soon be released.

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has recently begun producing one-minute news videos called "Overcomers TV" which includes one feature this month from Nigeria. A new video feature on Nigeria has also been released this month by VOMC.  Both features are available on the multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.  For further information on the difficulties facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.

    (Source: Compass Direct)
  • Cattleman Tortured for His Conversion

    Sardauna Anaruwa Sashi, once a devout Muslim, became a faithful follower of Christ earlier this year. Having learned of his conversion the police apprehended him on September 21. According to an October 31 report by Compass Direct, during four days of detention, the thirty year old resident of Paiko was severely tortured. He claims that at one point police beat him with their batons and almost killed him. It was only through the intervention of his pastor and a lawyer from his church that he was released.

    He is no longer allowed to care for the cattle of the Muslims he was working for since he has become an "infidel" in their eyes. Besides the loss of income he faces, Sashi's pastor has said that the Muslims will also never abandon their resolve to kill him. Sashi has reportedly received death threats since his release. While he fears for his life and the lives of his wife and relatives that have also turned to Christ, he testifies that he will never recant.

    Paiko is located in Niger state, one of Nigeria's northern states where sharia has been imposed.

    (Source: Compass Direct)
  • Pastor and Wife Beaten for Preaching the Gospel
    Lovina Iburene

    A pastor and his wife were severely beaten in the early morning of October 10 because their preaching, according to the Nigerian news service, The Daily Sun.  The couple was attacked by five young men in the early morning of October 10 near their home in Ibeshe, Lagos.  Pastor Enoch Iburene and his wife Lovina allege that the attackers were acting on instruction from community leaders.  They believe the attack is because of the Christian message they have been preaching. 

    For more information on this case, along with other incidents of persecution in Nigeria,click here.  Pray for healing for Enoch and Lovina.  Pray for their continued ministry in Ibeshe.  A seven-minute video news report on the suffering facing Christians in Nigeria is available on the multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.

    (Source: The Sun News)
  • Death Sentence Pronounced on Christian Family

    Militant Muslims in Nigeria have pronounced a death sentence on a Christian family in Ikorodu, Lagos state, Nigeria.  The 57-year-old father, Emma Osagie, was also recently assaulted.  According to a July 25 report from Compass Direct, the pronouncement came after the Muslims accused Emma's sixteen-year-old daughter Bridgett of selling pork.  On July 15, the group came to the family home looking for Bridgett, who had gone into hiding.  The allegations were first made in 1993, when Bridgett was only four.  The family denies ever selling pork. At various times, each member of the family has been assaulted by the militants.  The police have been informed but have taken no action.

    The sale of pork is forbidden under Islamic Sharia law.  Unlike twelve other Nigerian states, however, Lagos state is not ruled by Sharia law. 

    Pray for safety for Bridgett.  Pray that she will be free to move about without fear for her life.  Pray that these allegations will be shown to be false.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Nigeria,click here.
  • Church Burned for the Fourth Time

    For the fourth time in five years, the Conquerors Chapel of the Word of Faith Ministries in Kaduna, Nigeria, was destroyed by fire on April 10.  According to a May 2 report from Compass Direct, there have been no arrests on any of the arson attacks.

    According to the church's pastor, Ndubuisi Chiazor, he had just left the chapel with the board of elders eight minutes earlier when he received a phone call that the church building had been set on fire by some Muslims.  Rushing back, they found the building ablaze. Within forty minutes, everything was destroyed. 

    Pastor Chiazor says that the attacks began shortly after the introduction of sharia law in Kaduna State in 2000.  Local Muslims began to demand that the church cease meeting.  Soon afterwards, they built a mosque next to the church building and demanded that the church move their meetings. The church leadership has resolved to not move.  However, many of the congregation have left, some leaving the city out of fear.

    Pray for the continued ministry of the Church in Kaduna.  Pray for wisdom for the leadership of the Word of Faith Ministries.  Pray that local authorities will take seriously their God-given responsibility to provide equal protection to all of the residents of Kaduna.

    For more information on the difficulties experienced by Christians in Nigeria,click here.

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