NIGERIA: Refugees
13 Jun 2013A 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/
NIGERIA: Progress against Boko Haram
16 Aug 2013Abba 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
NIGERIA: Prayer is the answer
02 May 2013Since 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/
Nigeria: Potential ethnic violence flaring
09 Nov 2010
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)
Nigeria: Post Election needs
29 Apr 2011
Tuesday’s gubernatorial and states' legislature votes ended the 2011 elections on a very peaceful note across the country, after weeks of outraged protesters attacking Christian supporters of the president. Relief officials estimate at least 65,000 were displaced as a result of election tensions. Security forces reinforced northern states where post-election violence included killing and maiming innocent citizens, setting fire to business premises, private homes, and places of worship. Authorities blamed Islamist sect Boko Haram for challenging Nigeria's Christian government. Nigeria has a Muslim North and Christian South with hostility between them exacerbated by indigene/settler laws, discriminatory employment practices, and resource competition.
Pray: for the concluding election results to be accepted across the country and for Boko Haram to lose authority and status in communities. (Nu.6:26)
More: ttp://www.christiantoday.com/article/more.than.500.dead.in.nigeria.election.violence/27891.htm
NIGERIA: Police and prisoners
06 Dec 2012Two police officers died when a gunmen attacked a police base in Abuja, enabling five suspected robbers to escape. Suspected robbers and militants from the Boko Haram Islamist group are often held at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) base. The attack came a day after a double suicide bombing killed 11 people in a church inside a military barracks north of Abuja. Many are wondering how the attackers could have entered the barracks, which houses Nigeria's elite military training centre, without some inside help. The base is near several government buildings and security is normally extremely tight in the area. The militants have a history of attacking prisons and freeing Boko Haram members. Day 17 of the Year of Prayer for Nigeria tells us that contrary to God's word many Nigerians curse the police. See:
Pray: for an improved standard of recruitment of police officers; and ask God to reverse the curses people have placed on the police. Pray blessings, protection and righteousness on them. (1Tim 2:1-4.)