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Nigeria

• Leah Still in Captivity After Four Years

  

  February 19th marked the fourth anniversary of the abduction of Leah Sharibu, a Nigerian schoolgirl who was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists when she was only 14 years old. Originally, 110 students were captured during the raid. Five died following the attack and, after negotiations, all remaining students were released except for Leah. According to reports from other students, the young teen continued to be held captive because she refused to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam (see this report).

• Invasion of Christian Residence Results in Abduction and Fatality

  

  On the night of February 6th, armed assailants entered the parish residence of St. Monica's Catholic Church in the Ikulu Pari Parish of Kaduna State. During the invasion, a kitchen chef named Sati Musa was killed; and the parish priest, Joseph Danjuma Shekari, was abducted – the latter incident presumably motivated by the perpetrators for the purpose of demanding ransom.

• Missionary Family Robbed by Armed Intruders

  

  The home of a missionary affiliated with the Evangelical Church Winning All, located in the middle belt region of Nigeria, was recently invaded by armed intruders. The mission worker ministers primarily among the country's Fulani people. During the middle of the night, the Bello family's home was broken into by perpetrators demanding money, as well as the keys for two motorcycles that were parked outside. The assailants then proceeded to demand money from the mission worker's wife as well as the couple's visiting adult daughter, who also happens to be involved in ministry.

• Christians Murdered and Kidnapped by Islamic Militants

  

  Christians in Nigeria are appealing for prayer after yet another series of fatal attacks on their communities by militant Islamists. The following two attacks in January are recurring examples of the devastation that is being imposed on so many innocent people in Nigeria, particularly those of the Christian population. For more information on the relentless attacks on Christians in Nigeria, go to our country report.
  
  On January 11th, a group identified as Fulani militants attacked the village of Ancha in Plateau State, killing 18 Christians. According to witnesses, some of the attackers were wearing the uniform of the Nigerian army. During the raid, 30 armed Nigerian soldiers had been stationed to protect the town but stayed in their makeshift barracks, doing nothing to prevent the burning of homes, the destruction of vehicles, and the fatal wounding of villagers. When the attack was over, more than 500 bullet casings were found littering the ground.

• All Emmanuel Baptist Hostages Released!

  

  Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria, were devastated after an attack took place in the village of Kakau Daji on October 31st in which at least one worshipper was killed and 66 kidnapped. (Read an earlier posted report about this incident.)Sadly, five of the hostages were shot by their captors on November 6th, leaving two dead and three others hospitalized.

• Churches Issued Threatening Letters

  

  Churches in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara have received threatening letters that warn of violence if they do not stop meeting for worship and permanently close their facilities. Along with threats of imminent attacks, the letters issued an ultimatum demanding that churches in the state close within the next three years. It is believed that these threatening messages were sent from an Islamic militant group, though no specific details have been made available. The letters were copied to police and security forces.

• Ten Villagers Killed; Dozens of Homes Destroyed

  

  An overnight attack that took place in the Nigerian village of Ta'agbe on November 26th left ten Christians dead, including three children. According to witnesses, the attackers were dressed in black, carried sophisticated weapons, and shouted Islamic slogans while slaughtering the residents of the village and burning homes. It is estimated that over 100 houses were destroyed, displacing 690 people.

• Two Kidnapped Worshippers Slain

  

  Although the details are limited at this time, it has been reported that armed bandits have killed two of the worshippers who were abducted from the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kakau Daji village on October 31st. (More details on the recent abduction have been made available here.) Rev. Joseph Hayab from the Christian Association of Nigeria announced in an official statement that the gunmen opened fire on five of the kidnapped Christians, killing two and injuring the other three.

• Murderous Raid on Church Service

  

  At least one worshipper was killed and 60 kidnapped after gunmen raided the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kakau Daji village, Kaduna, on October 31st. The church members had gathered for worship when the attackers suddenly entered the building and opened fire. An uncertain number of Christians were also injured in the attack. Upon fleeing the building, dozens were taken captive by the assailants.

• Fatalities Caused by Recent Attacks

  

  On September 26th, a group of gunmen raided a church in Gavaciwa, Kaduna State, and opened fire in the midst of the worship service. One worshipper, Nasiru Abdullahi, was killed as a result of the violence and, in the aftermath of the invasion, numerous other believers were rushed to the hospital with injuries.