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Nigeria

  • 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.
  • Attack Kills Thirty-Six, Displaces Thousands

    In an unprovoked attack, Islamic militants attacked a predominantly Christian community in the village of Demsa, Adamawa in northern Nigeria.  According to a March 4 report by Compass Direct, thirty-six Christians were killed and their property destroyed when their community was attacked on February 4.  Those who survived, around 3000, have fled for refuge to the village of Mayolope in the neighbouring state of Taraba.

    A Muslim in Mayolope, Alhaji Saleh Jatau, told Compass that the militants do not have the support of the Muslim community when they attack Christians.  "I am appealing that the government should act quickly to end this conflict. We have lived in peace with Christians, but now some of us [Muslims] have decided to cause problems between us," Jatau told Compass.  The Christians taking refuge in Mayolope are refusing to return without a lasting solution from the government.

    Pray for government intervention and a solution to this on-going problem in various areas of Nigeria.  Pray that there will be a peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians.  Pray for peace for the families of those killed.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.
  • Threats of Death Against Expelled Students
    Students at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
    Militant Muslims have pronounced a death sentence on five Christians expelled from from schools in Nigeria in November.  Hanatu Haruna Alkali, Abraham Adamu Misal, Habakkuk Solomon, Hankuri Gaya, and a student identified as Uzochukwu were expelled by the authorities of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi for sharing the gospel with Muslim students.

    Since then, the students have been facing threats from Muslims.  The families of two of the students, Alkali and Misal, were attacked on January 26 when militant groups went to the family homes in the state of Gombe in northern Nigeria with the intent of killing them.  According to a February 3 report from Compass Direct, Alkali was not at home when the family was held at gunpoint.  Her father wrestled the gun from the hand of one of them, but one of the other militants stabbed her mother.  Both Alkali and Misal are now in hiding.  The whereabouts of the other three students are unknown at this time.

    Muslim leaders in Bauchi support the death pronouncements, saying that Muslims must be prepared to defend their religion.

    Pray for safety for these five students and other Christians under threat in Nigeria.  Pray for their families and for a quick recovery for Alkali's mother.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.
  • Christian Leader Killed in Ambush
    Funeral for Davou Bulle
    Mary Bulle following the attack

    Some of the bullets removed

    Just weeks after the Nigerian government lifted a six-month state of emergency in the central Nigerian Plateau state, Muslim militants ambushed a Christian leader and his family in the village of Ganna Ropp on December 29.  Davou Bulle died and his wife and son were injured.

    Following the killing, a VOM contact visited the family to ascertain what happened.  According to his sister, Davou had been facing on-going harassment from a Muslim man, Alhaji Gambo, who owned a neighbouring farm.  As Davou and his family were returning home after a day's work on their farm, Gambo and his sons ambushed them.  They first shot the tires of the van and then began to shoot at the Bulle family, killing Davou and injuring his wife, Mary, and son, Gyan.  Mary lost one eye and, at last report, remained in hospital in Jos.  Gyan attempted to protect his father and was shot fourteen times.  Gyan miraculously is recovering in hospital.  Several arrests have been made, including Alhaji Gambo and two of his sons. 

    Pray for the physical recovery of Mary and Gyan.  Pray for peace and inner healing for family and friends grieving their loss.  Pray that religious violence will not increase in Plateau state and that Christians will not retaliate for this attack.  In May 2004, Christian militias in Plateau state retaliated for attacks by Muslims, resulting in 300 deaths.  A six-month state of emergency was declared to quell the violence.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.
  • Christian Student Killed by Mob
    Students at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
    Opposition to Christian evangelism has resulted in the death of a student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in the northern city of Bauchi, according to Compass Direct.  Earlier three students had been expelled for distributing a Christian tract.  In the early morning of December 9, Sunday Nache Achi was taken from his room by men dressed in jihad style clothing.  When Achi's roommate attempted to intervene, he was threatened at gunpoint and then locked in his room.  The next morning, Achi was found strangled to death next to a mosque, near the home of the university's vice-chancellor.  The office of the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Bauchi was also set on fire.

    Pray for comfort and peace for the family and friends of Sunday Achi.  Pray that those responsible for this crime will come to faith in Jesus Christ.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Nigeria,click here.  The Voice of the Martyrs has a seven-minute video report from Nigeria available on their multimedia website at www.vomcanada.com.  Registration is required, but membership is free.

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