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The grim report was confirmed by an e-mail released by the Boko Haram confirming their plans for the coming weeks. In Kaduna and Zaria where churches were bombed last week, a curfew is still in effect. Open Doors reported two thwarted bombings over the weekend. Open Doors President and CEO, Dr Carl Moeller, explains, 'Boko Haram concealed a bomb in a coffin, claiming that it was a corpse. Fortunately, soldiers at a checkpoint insisted on seeing what was inside, and there were bombs in there. The men were arrested.' In the second attempt, a man was arrested when he masqueraded as someone who was interested in learning about Jesus Christ. The pastor noticed a bag a few yards away, which the possible convert denied knowing anything about. However the police discovered that the bag was filled with explosives, and the would-be suicide bomber was arrested. Then, with Sunday came a prison break, a fire fight, and the escape of 40 inmates who are members of Boko Haram.
Pray: that any further plans by Boko Haram will be thwarted. (Is.8:10)
The religious massacres have stopped, but ‘secret’ killings of Christians and Muslims continue on a smaller scale across Northern Nigeria, claiming more than 30 lives this year police said on Tuesday. Three more people died and several were injured during an interfaith Easter prayer ceremony in Jos. The State Police Commissioner said the secret killings happen when Christians and Muslims stray into neighbourhoods dominated by the other faith. Police and security forces collect one or two bodies a night. The violence remains hidden from public view since it hasn't reached the horrors of earlier in the year when more than 200 people - mostly Christians - died in March massacres and more than 300 people- mostly Muslims - died in January during rioting in the same region.
Pray: for God’s life giving spirit to heal the broken, bring reconciliation to divided groups and invade the darkness still hovering over the region. (Is.42:16)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNCU46VYMVf0VzhqkKJUus45PrDAD9ETOKLG4
Secondary schools have been ordered to close across Nigeria's north-eastern state of Yobe after a massacre in which Boko Haram Islamist extremists torched Mamudo Boarding school killing 22 students. ‘Boko Haram’ translates as ‘Western education is forbidden’ and dozens of schools have been burned in attacks by them since 2010. Eyewitnesses said some victims were burned alive while others were shot as they fled. An Associated Press reporter found chaotic hospital scenes where traumatised parents struggled to identify their children among the charred bodies and gunshot victims. Survivors said suspected militants arrived with containers full of fuel and set fire to the school. Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam condemned the ‘cold-blooded murder’ and ordered secondary schools to be closed until September to allow state and federal government officials plus community leaders to work towards guaranteeing school safety. He also asked the government to remove mobile phone signal blocks across the state as the lack of mobile communications prevents patriotic citizens from reporting suspicious movements in their neighbourhoods.
Pray: for God to comfort those who mourn and to bless those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.(Mat.5:3-10)
Riots erupted across northern Nigeria on Monday as President Goodluck Jonathan secured a decisive win in the country's presidential poll, which observers have described as the fairest in decades. Deadly rioting erupted across Nigeria's largely Muslim north on Monday as youths torched churches and homes in anger at President Goodluck Jonathan's election victory. Observers have called the poll the fairest in decades in Africa's most populous nation. But supporters of the defeated Mr Buhari accuse the ruling party of rigging and rejected the results. The results show how polarised the country is, with Buhari sweeping the north and Jonathan winning the largely Christian south. Jonathan had nearly 23 million votes to just over 12 million for Buhari. The Nigerian Red Cross said churches, mosques and homes had been burned in rioting across the north and many people had been killed, but it was impossible to give a toll for now. Pray: against this violence in the north and pray that the peoples and religious groups will find ways of living together in peace. (Nu.6:26) More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110418-north-riots-over-goodluck-jonathan-election-victory-nigeria
A UN report for refugees stated that no fewer than 6,000 people - mostly women, children and elderly were displaced following the military onslaught against Boko Haram and the al Qaeda-linked Ansaru. They fled to neighbouring Niger Republic fearful of being caught in the government-led crackdown. The presence of Nigerian refugees in Niger is putting a strain on meagre local food and water resources as they struggle after years of drought. Refugees are either renting houses or staying with host families who are themselves living in very precarious conditions. A UNHCR member of staff who visited several border villages hosting refugees met Nigerian families living out in the open and some under trees. Refugees reported air strikes by government forces from time to time, and planes regularly flying over Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where a state of emergency has been in force since May 14.
Pray: for the UN to effectively deliver structured and coordinated help for host communities of Nigerian refugees. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.punchng.com/news/6000-flee-bharam-crisis-to-niger-un/
Abba Moro, Nigeria's interior minister, said the army is making progress in the war against Boko Haram despite the killing of 44 people in a mosque on Sunday. He dismissed the attack as ‘desperate’ and ‘isolated’ telling the BBC ‘The security agencies of Nigeria have been able to push the Boko Haram sect from their major strongholds.’ Thousands of extra soldiers have been sent to the north-eastern states since a state of emergency was announced in May. On Monday 32 militants, 2 soldiers and a policeman were killed in clashes with Boko Haram in Borno state when troops successfully repelled terrorists who attacked a military base. We are asked to continue to pray that Boko Haram’s plans to establish an Islamic caliphate in the country will fail. More than 2,000 people have died since terrorists commenced killings and bombings mostly in the northern part of the country. See also: http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/nigeria-clashes-between-boko-haram-and-army-35-killed_867088.html
Pray: God will continue to strengthen the resolve and abilities of Nigeria’s government and army in its fight against terror. (Ps.37:10-11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23689074
Just hours after Christian President Goodluck Jonathan was inaugurated a bomb exploded in an army barracks in Bauchi Nigeria, a stronghold of radical Muslim s known as Boko Haram. The bombing is seen as a challenge to the authority of a Christian President from the south, by those in the north who want a Muslim president installed. Muslims contend that a Muslim president needs to be elected according to the unwritten agreement that presidents will rotate between the country’s Christian south and Muslim north. Muslims complained that the votes for the presidential election were rigged, but independent observers said the election process was the fairest in decades. Pray: that Nigeria would know peace as the country settles into a season of new governance. (Da.7:14)
The president of Nigeria said: ‘The Church is one of the main targets’ of terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic group Boko Haram. ‘If the idea of Boko Haram is to stop Nigerians from worshipping God, they will not succeed,’ President Goodluck Jonathan told parishioners at a church in Nigeria's capital Sunday. Gunmen suspected of belonging to Boko Harem have attacked a Nigerian village in the last week. They rounded up men, women, and children and killed at least 15. The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans has been urging the United States to label Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization, a move that could hurt its funding and support. However, while US State Department is considering the request, so far, the Department hasn't decided if labelling the group that way is the most effective way to deal with them. Boko Haram is blamed for killing nearly 800 people in 2012 alone, according to the Associated Press.
Pray: that the prayers of God’s people will hold back those that worship other gods. (Ps.81:9)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=42436&PN=1&TPN=1
Since Nigeria's government has proved itself incapable of protecting the country's Christians, the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has pledged to protect them by targeting Islamic institutions with retaliatory violence. Last year, almost 70% of all Christians killed worldwide were murderd in Nigeria according to International Christian Concern. If sectarian warfare breaks out, Nigeria may become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian. See: http://www.worthynews.com/12256-is-sectarian-war-stewing-in-nigeria Renowned cleric, Prophet Kayode Abiara has stated that the situation in the country requires urgent prayer and not revolution. He urged Nigerians to pray ceaselessly for the nation, saying it was prayers that had kept the country together- if not for prayers of both Christians and Muslims the country would have collapsed by now. We must thank God for the churches and the mosques. The call by some people for revolution is misplaced. Instead of shedding blood through revolution, Nigerians should pray. God answers prayers.
Pray: for those in positions of authority to have God’s blessing s of wisdom and insight in every situation and may the Church experience God's protection as they stand united. (Ps.133)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/04/30/prayer-will-save-nigeria-not-revolution/
Violence between the the Berom Christians and Hausa Fulani communities flared up in March this year and community leaders in Nigeria's Plateau State are appealing again for calm in villages outside the city of Jos. At least six people - women and children - were killed, cattle slaughtered and homes burned in one village this week. In January and March this year, similar attacks prompted a spiral of rioting and killing in the region that left hundreds of people dead. Leaders in Ranwianku are urging residents not to think of revenge. In one incident an elderly woman, unable to flee the armed gang, was killed along with a young mother and four small children. Ranwianku is a predominantly Christian settlement. The attackers spoke the Fulani language. Pray: that the two communities would learn to love their neighbour and live together peacefully. (Mt.6:12-13)