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Nigeria
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One Year of Captivity for Leah
Militants released this photo of
Leah Sharibu in August, 2018.On February 19th, 2018, members of a Boko Haram faction entered the town of Dapchi and ordered 110 schoolgirls into trucks. (An initial report on the abduction is available here.) Just over a year later, one of these girls remains in captivity because of her Christian faith.
The original attack reflected the group's opposition to any formal education, particularly when granted to girls. A month after the attack, 104 of the students were released with strong warnings to stay away from school. Five had unfortunately died during the incident. However, one of the surviving girls, Leah Sharibu, was denied freedom from captivity.
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Tribal Leader Kidnapped and Executed
Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima Nigerians from various areas of the country are facing threats and attacks from members of the Boko Haram terrorist group. Last month, a market in Kaduna erupted into violence and threats, leading to clashes between Christian and Muslim youth. As a result, 55 people were killed and, subsequently, numerous arrests have been made.
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Aid Worker Killed; Leah "Slave for Life"
Photo: World Watch Monitor "Islamic State West Africa Province" (ISWAP), the Boko Haram faction currently holding 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, has released a statement claiming to have executed a second Red Cross aid worker during the past month. In the statement, the group claimed that Hauwa Leman, along with Saifura Ahmed (who was killed in September), were apostates because they joined the Red Cross.
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Audio Recording from Leah
Photo: World Watch Monitor As speculation abounds regarding the fate of Leah Sharibu, an audio recording of her voice, along with a still photo, has surfaced in which she calls for the government to intervene. Family members have confirmed that it is, in fact, her voice.
In the recording, Leah says:
"I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation. I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion. I am calling on the government, particularly, the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you." (The actual recording is available here.)
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Important Reminder
Photo: Morning
Star NewsOn August 19th, it will be six months since 15-year-old Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Nigeria's infamous Boko Haram rebel group, along with her classmates. While the other students were released, Leah was not for one simple reason: she refused to deny Christ. Fervently pray that Leah will be returned to her family soon! For more details, click here.
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Army Rescues Nearly a Thousand Captives
Pray for the protection of Nigeria's most vulnerable.After a week-long battle, the Nigerian army has freed almost a thousand people from Boko Haram captivity. The operation led to the deaths of over 50 of the terrorists. According to the Nigerian military, the joint operation with the Cameroonian army remains ongoing.
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Almost a Hundred Killed in Fulani Raids
The Rev. Felix Tyolaha,
one of the church leaders
slain during recent attacks.
Photo: Morning Star News
via Diocese of MakurdiSeveral recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria's "Middle Belt" have resulted in at least 93 fatalities. The violence against Christians has sparked outrage in Nigeria and throughout the world, calling for more action to curb the ongoing violence and resulting tragic loss.
On April 24th, a mob of gunmen attacked a church in the village of Ayar-Mbalom during an early morning service. Two church leaders and 17 congregants were shot dead. The attack has been condemned by Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, who calls the attack an effort to exacerbate sectarian divisions and violence.
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Kidnapped Girl Sends Message Home
Photo: Morning Star NewsLeah Sharibu, a 15-year-old Nigerian girl held hostage by a faction of Boko Haram, managed to send a message to her mother when her friends were released. The message read:
"My mother, you should not be disturbed. I know it is not easy missing me, but I want to assure you that I am fine where I am.... I am confident that one day I shall see your face again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ."
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Captive Schoolgirl Refuses to Recant Faith
Photo: Morning Star NewsNews that over 100 kidnapped schoolgirls were released by a Boko Haram faction on March 21st brought joy to concerned parents, a nation and people around the world. The girls had been kidnapped from their school in Dapchi on February 19th (see this page) and taken to an unknown location. According to those released, five of the girls died earlier due to the stress and trauma of the attack. One girl, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity for one simple reason: she refuses to convert to Islam.
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More Schoolgirls Kidnapped by Boko Haram
Memories of the 2014 Chibok kidnapping flooded the minds of Nigerians as they heard the news of the most recent attack on a girls' school in Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19th. When the Boko Haram militants left the scene, 110 schoolgirls -- between the ages of 11 and 19 -- disappeared with them.
Authorities initially tried to deny that it was a kidnapping, suggesting the girls may have simply fled. However, it soon became clear that they had been taken by the attackers to an unknown location. Nigerian authorities are actively searching for the girls.