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Nigeria

  • Increased Persecution Feared Due to Controversial Bishop

    As many conservative Christians in North America struggle to come to grips with the latest decision of the U.S. Episcopal Church in appointing an openly homosexual bishop, Christians in other areas of the world fear the repercussions that could come from Muslims around them. In an August 7 article in CNSNews.com, the Anglican bishop of Owerri in Nigeria, Cyril Okoracha, said African Christians would face "severe persecution [from] our Muslim neighbors because they keep accusing us of maintaining relationships with those who deny the Scripture."

    Christians in Islamic countries often face opposition because of western clothing styles, consumption of alcohol, and the ethical behaviour promoted by the "Christian" west. With an openly homosexual bishop in a Christian church, Muslims may well see one more reason to actively oppose Christians, justifying it as a way of preventing sinful behaviour in their country.

    Pray for wisdom for Christians throughout the world as they address this issue with their Muslim neighbours. Pray that God will give them the words to say to disarm the opposition and be able to share the truth of the Gospel of Christ.
  • Pastor and Family Burned to Death

    A pastor, along with six members of his family, died in a fire in the northern Nigerian city of Kano which Christian leaders suspect was deliberately set. The only survivor was his son, Daniel, who remains in critical condition. According to a May 6 report from Compass Direct, Pastor Madumere and his family were asleep in their home on April 22 when it was engulfed by flames. While police authorities say the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, Christian leaders have ruled out that theory, insisting that the pastor and his family were victims of religious intolerance. Pastor Madumere was known for his powerful preaching and many Muslims in Kano had converted to Christianity through his ministry, angering Muslim militants in the city.

    In speaking about the incident, Bishop Nyam of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, said, "We are not surprised at all about this incident.... We saw it coming."

    For several years militant Muslims having been carrying out a jihad against Christians in northern and central Nigeria. Hundreds of Christians have been killed and homes, churches and businesses destroyed. Representatives from The Voice of the Martyrs recently visited Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria who have been brutalized for their faith. Greg Musselman from VOM Canada visited hospitals in Nigeria's Plateau state where he saw women, men, and children with bullet wounds and deep slash marks on their necks and heads inflicted by machete-wielding attackers. Despite this suffering, however, Musselman also witnessed how they were committing themselves to God's care. The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will have a special feature on the suffering and faith of believers in Nigeria in an upcoming edition this summer. For a free subscription to this publication, visit https://www.vomcanada.com/nlonline.htm.

    Pray for a full recovery for Daniel as well as healing emotional scars with the loss of his family. Pray for members of Pastor Madumere's church as they deal with this tragedy.
  • Elections May Bring Sharia Law

    As presidential elections are set to begin in Nigeria on April 19, the possibility of Sharia law spreading to more states increases. The front-runners in the election are Olusegun Obasanjo, the current president and a Christian from the south, and Muha-mmadu Buhari, a Muslim northerner.

    At present, twelve of Nigeria's thirty-six states are governed by Islamic Sharia law. According to a March 31 report from CNSNews, Josiah Warron, press attache at the Nigerian Embassy in Kenya, expects this number to increase if Muha-mmadu Buhari wins the election.

    Since the election is taking place during the Easter Season, some Christian leaders are concerned that Christians may be less likely to vote. Pray that the elections will be free of violence and corruption. Pray that the upcoming elections will not increase the tensions already existing in the country and that religious freedom will be strengthened throughout the country.
  • Four Christians Killed by Police

    Nigerian federal police officers killed four Catholics and injured eight others for refusing to pay a bribe, according to a report from Compass Direct received on January 27. A group was returning from a crusade and prayer vigil on December 14 when police stopped their bus. According to one of the passengers who escaped, the bus driver refused to pay a bribe because of his faith and was then shot point-blank. When others in the group intervened, they were also shot while the rest fled on foot.

    In response to the killings, the governor of Enugu, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, ordered all federal police units to leave the state and is calling for the federal government to address the issue of violence by security forces.

    Bribery of officials in Nigeria is extremely common. Pray that those who refuse because of conscience will be protected. Pray that justice and the rule of law will be enforced. Pray for the families and friends of those killed. Pray for a full and quick recovery for those injured.

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