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In the aftermath of the recent presidential election hundreds of Christians were killed and hundreds of churches and Christian business were burned down or destroyed. Now, with the death of Osama Bin Laden, Christians across northern Nigeria are bracing themselves for possible reprisal attacks by Muslim extremist who are opposed to Bin laden's death. Church members have received anonymous text messages warning them of an impending attacks due to Osama's death, and reports are coming out of five northern states that some Muslims are planning to demonstrate against the death of Bin Laden. Northern Nigerian Christians have always been at the receiving end of violence when Muslim extremists feel they have been offended.
Pray: against sadistic acts of vengeance against Christians. (Ps.20:1)
Part of a press statement by the Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians based in England sent commiserations to the family of Drummer Lee Rigby stating, ‘Our prayers are with Amy Rigby, their young son, wider family and friends as they grapple with this dastardly act. May our good LORD comfort them in their sorrows. This cowardly and cold-blooded murder of a British icon in the locale of an established military base was intended to strike fear into our hearts and break the bands that unite us as a peaceful nation. This is characteristic of the violent agenda of the proselytized adherents of these fringe groups in their grandiose belief that such carnage and unjustifiable acts glorify a just and merciful God. We utterly deplore the barbaric actions of these unscrupulous individuals who would not hesitate to invoke darkness on their motherland on the altar of self-glorification. We are deeply saddened at the recent revelation that the perpetrators are British of Nigerian extraction.’ For the full press release click the more button
Pray: for divine intervention and human vigilance to defeat the agents of terrorism. (Ps.77:14)
As Nigerian terrorist attacks continue, citizens are blaming the government for failing to protect them and asking why President Goodluck Jonathan is not doing more to save the Christians under attack by Islamist extremists. These latest calls mark a stark reverse of public opinion for President Goodluck Jonathan, hailed as Nigeria's Barack Obama when he took office in May 2010, promising to bring change and prosperity. Jonathan, a Christian and whose middle name Ebelechukwu means ‘God's Mercy’ admitted that members of his government might have sympathies toward Boko Haram, the Islamist terror group attacking churches and government offices. Citizens are so angry with these revelations that they have taken to the streets carrying mock coffins and placards calling him ‘President Badluck.’ Journalists are saying the President ‘has come across as clueless when it comes to dealing with Boko Haram.’ President of the Christian Association of Nigeria decried the government's failure to protect Christians from attacks and accused some security agents of taking sides. (See Prayer Alert 04-2012)
Pray: that ‘God's Mercy’ will be poured out over Nigeria and for the present situation to be turned around. (Ps.10:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/violence.puts.pressure.on.nigerias.president/29207.htm
As Nigeria continues to deal with prolonged violence from terror sect Boko Haram, persecuted Christian and Muslim communities are beginning to work together to root out the group and curb its mounting influence and destruction in their country. Thousands of Christians and Muslims protected each other from possible terror attacks while taking prayer breaks during a protest against high fuel prices. While Muslims prayed Christians formed a protective human chain around them. The unifying events at the protest coincide with a new initiative from the Nigerian Muslim group, Concerned Citizens of Kano State, that puts Muslims in Christian churches to ease any misdirected tensions between the two religious groups. The programme seeks to eliminate the confusion that Boko Haram has created, while affirming that Muslim-Christian relations in the country have been – and can continue to be – strong. Fears of civil war escalated following Christmas Day violence last month.
Pray: for forgiveness and reconciliation where Christians have wronged Muslims and Muslims have wronged Christians; may their unity thwart the plans of their enemies. (Is.60:18)
Rev Faye Pama Musa, Secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was shot dead at his home in Northern Nigeria on May 15th after being followed home by suspected Boko Haram militants after an evening Bible study. He had a wife and three children. Christians warn that they are the main target of on-going violence in Nigeria's restive northeast. Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said forces have successfully engaged a large number of heavily armed terrorists during the last few days as they attempt to curtail violence. By Tuesday 14th suspected Islamic extremists and three soldiers were reported dead. Twenty others have been arrested. Boko Haram extremists were reported ‘fleeing to Nigeria's borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger’, though that has not been confirmed. The president has called for the arrest of anyone suspected of working with the insurgents and ordered his forces to occupy any building housing extremists. See:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/May/Christians-Remain-Targets-as-Violence-Grows-in-Nigeria/
Pray: against militant groups feeding off rampant poverty and corruption as they recruit the poorest people into violence. May the government officials and troops bring about good governance. (Ex.23:6-7)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/05/17/christian-leader-in-northern-nigeria-gunned-down-in-his-home/
The Nigerian government must do more to protect Christians after another church was targeted over the weekend, an advocacy group has said. (see last weeks Prayer-Alert 15-2012) Suspicion for responsibility has fallen on Boko Haram. The Christian Association of Nigeria recently said it believes that Boko Haram, which means ‘Western education is sacrilege’ intends to ‘exterminate’ Nigeria’s Christian population. The Rev Yunusa Nmadu, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria called upon the international community and the US administration in particular to declare Boko Haram a terrorist group ‘because this is what it is in reality.’ He also appealed to the Nigerian government to ensure adequate protection for Christians ‘as they are the main targets and regular victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.’ Christian Solidarity Worldwide said the burden of security should not be left to individuals.
Pray: for the international community to provide counter-insurgency training for the army and police and may God give them the wisdom to prevent further bloodshed. (Pr.1:5)
Politicians in Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria are debating a bill aimed at curbing religious extremism. The Islamic Preaching Bill would outlaw preaching likely to cause a breach of the peace as well as requiring most clerics to obtain a preaching licence. The legislation was proposed after an Islamic sect was blamed for sectarian violence in northern Nigeria last year in which hundreds of people died. Under the new bill, there would be stiff penalties for clerics found guilty of insulting or inciting contempt of any religious belief which causes a breach of the peace. The bill is an attempt to prevent a recurrence of the violence which spread across Nigeria's northern states in July 2009 when supporters of an Islamic sect called Boko Haram - known locally as the ‘Taliban’ - attacked police and government offices.
Pray: that this bill will have the desired effect to prevent the recurrence of violence. (Ps.7:9)
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during Boko Haram's insurgency, despite the recent lull. On Tuesday four bomb blasts ripped through a mainly Christian area killing 24 people and leaving 3 seriously injured. A small church may have been among the targets. Residents described the area as being littered with the personal belongings of those who ran in fear and confusion once the explosions began. At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members in recent weeks. Over the weekend, clashes between a vigilante group and Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno State. The insurgency is estimated to have claimed more than 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Pray: for all working tirelessly to support communities affected by violence, may they restore people's hope. May God guide, sustain and strengthen them as they repair broken walls. (Is.58:12)
More: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/nigeria-bombs-kill-12-mainly-christian-area-095440715.html#BFwMTVL
An official and others wept in Abuja after listening to the pastor of All Saints Church recount how 17 Christians were killed for refusing to renounce Jesus Christ. People also heard from Deborah Shetima whose husband was butchered last April, that her two children (7and 9 years-old) were abducted, then Boko Haram returned three months later and killed her third child. The Minister said, ‘If we have become a nation that does not put value on human lives then we are really in a bad place. Listening to these women and seeing what they have to carry alone one feels a sense of abandonment for them. They are invisible to the rest of us - that worries me. We must figure out who we really are; and what have we become as a people and as a nation.’ Also church leaders in NE Nigeria are saying Christians are scared to leave their homes after 8pm and too afraid of Islamic extremist attacks to attend church services. See: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13030003.htm
Pray: for an end to bombings, killings and abductions, provisions for widows and orphans without a source of livelihood and for desperate communities to know hope, peace and restoration. (Is.54:5; Pr.2:12)
More: http://www.punchng.com/news/ezekwezili-others-weep-as-bharam-victims-recount-woes/
Suspected Islamists have been blamed for the deaths of at least 23 people in separate attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. Witnesses say gunmen apparently targeted hunters selling bush meat in Damboa on Monday, killing 18 people. Strict Muslims are forbidden to eat this type of bush meat. Another five people died on Tuesday when a group of men playing draughts was attacked in Kano. The militant group Boko Haram, which is fighting to create an Islamic state, has staged many attacks in Nigeria. Boko Haram has been blamed for the deaths of some 1,400 people in central and northern Nigeria since 2010. Last year alone, the group was linked to more than 600 deaths. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of a deadly attack in Kano, the main city in northern Nigeria. Gunmen riding on motorbikes opened fire on people playing an outdoor board game, police and witnesses say. Gambling is also strictly forbidden under Islamic law.
Pray: against the evil influence that fanatics like Boko Haram have in the communities. (Ps.37:9)