Call to prayer for Christians in Nigeria as attacks continue
Release International is calling for urgent prayer for Christians in Nigeria, after terrorists continued to target Christians in attacks over the Christmas period. Release, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, is also encouraging the church in the UK – which includes many Christians from a Nigerian background – to offer practical support.
Three attacks against Christians over Christmas claimed around 27 lives. The attacks were in the north, where terrorist group Boko Haram has been trying to drive out Christians from the largely Islamic region of Africa’s most populous country.
In the latest attack, on December 28, militants cut the throats of 15 Christians in the village to which they had fled previously to escape the violence.
The militants, thought to be members of Boko Haram, launched a pre–dawn attack on Musari, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, where Boko Haram has its base.
A witness told the Associated Press that gunmen chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ rounded up Christians. She said she heard the voices of children screaming. The attackers tied up the Christian villagers and cut their throats.
Several witnesses say 15 Christians were murdered, though the military authorities put the death toll at five. Observers say the military often downplay the numbers killed. 15 is thought to be the likely figure.
12 more Christians were killed in two separate attacks in the north on Christmas Eve. Further violence was also reported in Jos, on the dividing line between the mainly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.
This is the third year running that Christians have been attacked and murdered over the Christmas period. The Christian Association of Nigerian Americans has called on President Obama to designate Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, so the US can take action against those financing and supporting the group.
Boko Haram is seeking to drive out Christians from the north and create religious strife. It wants to impose strict Islamic law on Nigeria. Observers say its aim is to destabilise the oil–rich nation and split the Muslim north from the south.
‘Our brothers and sisters in Nigeria urgently need our prayers,’ says Release CEO Paul Robinson. ‘We call on the church in the UK and Ireland – which includes many Christians with a Nigerian background – to stand in prayer for the killing to stop.
‘What we are witnessing in Nigeria is a campaign of religious cleansing. Release partners are working to help the victims of these attacks. Please help us to help them, and let’s pray to our God that 2013 will finally see an end to this terrible violence directed against Christians which has plagued Nigeria.’
In its new year survey of trouble–spots, Release identified Nigeria as one of the key countries of concern for 2013.
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Through its international network of missions Release supports persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections and the Evangelical Alliance.