Photo: VOMC
In 2025, a 22-year-old woman was arrested in Kano State, Nigeria. "Sarah" (whose name has been changed for security reasons) fled after her siblings attempted to force her into an arranged marriage. She eventually found refuge with a Christian family who shared the Gospel message with her. Through the witness and support of the Abaras family, Sarah made a decision to follow Christ.
As the majority of people living in Kano State are Muslim, the state has instituted the "Hisbah Corps," a police unit responsible for enforcing Sharia law among Muslim citizens. With the assistance of the Hisbah Corps, the new believer's family arranged for her arrest, accusing Sarah of converting to Christianity. She was detained for four days, during which time she endured beatings and intense pressure to return to her family. Following her release, the Abaras family helped Sarah relocate to a less stringent region.
On May 26th, the courts ruled that the woman's arrest had been unlawful and declared the actions of the Hisbah Corps a "flagrant violation" of her fundamental human rights. Sarah was then awarded financial compensation for the mistreatment she experienced. The court also determined that, because Sarah was no longer a Muslim, the Hisbah Corps had no legal authority to lay charges against her.
Although the charges were dismissed, the woman's relatives have accused the Abaras family of kidnapping her. While members of this accused Christian family have been released on bail, the case against them has not yet been resolved.
In several northern states, including Kano, religious police units operate to enforce Sharia law; however, they have increasingly been used to target Christian converts and those supporting them. To read more about the persecution of believers in Nigeria, and/or view informative video reports, go to our country profile.
- Pray that God's loving protection, peace and guidance will surround Sarah as she adjusts to life in a new location, with hopes that she will be further strengthened and encouraged there through supportive Christian fellowship.
- Also lift the Abaras family before the Lord, asking Him to sustain them with courage, provide for their needs, and bring a just resolution to the legal case they are now facing.
- Regardless of their own religious affiliations, may governing authorities in Kano, as well as those representing Nigeria's other states, work fairly to protect the rights and beliefs of all citizens.
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