Tags
Nigeria
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Numerous Attacks Lead to Killings and Kidnappings
Abducted Christian nurses Afiniki and Grace.
Photo: FacebookOne person was killed, another wounded, and four women were abducted, when the Haske Baptist Church in Manini village, Nigeria, was attacked during a worship service on April 25th. Healthcare worker Zacharia Dogon Yaro was killed, and Shehu Haruna was injured. According to one of the worshippers, "[The attackers] surrounded the church and started shooting.... They shot at us randomly and at anyone they sighted." The Fulani gunmen then seized Charity Musa, Rose Zacharia, Alheri Bala and Liatu Zakka as they left.
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Leah Sharibu Held Captive for Three Years
On February 19th, 2018, Islamic jihadists from Boko Haram swept into Dapchi town, Yobe State, in northern Nigeria. In this particular incident (one of numerous abductions), the militants kidnapped 110 girls, most of whom were Muslims, from Dapchi's Government Girls' Science and Technical College. (To review one of VOMC's past reports on Leah's situation, go to this page).
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Pastor Shot to Death
Dr. Amos Arijesuyo
Photo: FacebookSuspected Fulani herdsmen killed Dr. Amos Arijesuyo, a pastor and university deputy registrar, on January 16th. He was travelling from Ibadan to Akure in Ondo state with four others when they were stopped in an ambush. Both the driver and Dr. Arijesuyo were shot by the assailants, requiring urgent medical attention in hospital where the pastor succumbed to his injuries. The driver is recovering from a shot to his arm.
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Christmas Attacks Involved Executions
Pray for the grieving families of the young men whose execution was recorded by the terrorist group. Two separate attacks have led to kidnappings and at least twelve deaths in Nigeria over the Christmas season. In both cases, Islamic militant groups were responsible for the assaults.
On Christmas Eve, at least seven people were killed when Boko Haram militants raided a mostly Christian village in Borno State. The terrorist fighters rode into the village of Pemi on trucks and motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately. Several homes were burned, along with a medical dispensary and a church building. At least seven villagers died, and as many as seven were reportedly abducted, including the pastor of the Evangelical Church of the Brethren.
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Christians Targeted in Islamic Militant Attacks
Rev. Johnson Oladimeji,
killed in Ekiti state, Nigeria.
Photo: Morning Star NewsOn the morning of November 1st, armed Islamic militants associated with the Boko Haram terrorist group invaded the village of Takulashi. With the use of automatic weapons, they shot everyone in sight -- burning and looting homes during the rampage. When the militants left the area two hours later, 12 members of the primarily Christian village were found dead, including a church pastor. The attackers also took three women and four children hostage.
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Kidnapped Pastor Released
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube On October 19th, Rev. Polycarp Zongo from the Church of Christ in Nations went missing, along with two Christian women. Ten days later, it was discovered that the three Nigerians had been kidnapped by militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This faction is a breakaway from the formerly reported Boko Haram terrorist group.
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Lawlessness Heightens Call to Prayer
Hassana and Hussaina Garba
Photo: FacebookThe violence dominating areas of Nigeria continues as Fulani herdsmen terrorize village communities. Unfortunately, Christians are frequently targeted in these attacks. On September 18th, a church elder was shot in the stomach and his twin daughters kidnapped from their home in Katsina State. Thankfully, Ibrahim Garba survived the attack and received treatment in hospital. His teenaged daughters, Hassana and Hussaina, were released three days later.
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Ongoing Atrocities in Kaduna State
Godwin Jonathan Bakoshi
Photo: Morning Star NewsChristians residing in Nigeria's Kaduna State have faced a series of attacks by gunmen in recent weeks, resulting in numerous deaths, in addition to kidnappings. While the exact numbers vary, the victims include children, youth and adults.
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Men Assassinated as Warning to Christians
A Nigerian terrorist group released a video on July 22nd showing five men lined up for execution. The group included three humanitarian aid workers who disappeared last month, along with a security guard and a state employee.
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Reports of "Unfolding Genocide"
For several years, suffering has been a way of life for Christians in Nigeria. In 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a preliminary examination into this troubling situation which was formerly caused by the violence of Boko Haram militants. Thousands of lives have been lost throughout the years that followed, along with the destruction of numerous homes and churches, and the abduction of hundreds of innocent victims -- including teen Leah Sharibu who was taken captive in February 2018 and is still missing to date.