Please pray for Nigerian Christians – World Watch List #13

Persecuted Church: Nigeria North – World Watch List #13 (Open Doors UK)

Population: 166.6 million (88 million Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism

The Islamist agenda to bring Nigeria under the ‘House of Islam’ versus the election of a southern Christian as President has caused much unrest. The Islamist group, Boko Haram, has claimed the lives of at least 800 Christians. The decisions of local government, especially in the twelve northern Sharia states, mean that Christians experience restrictions in schooling, threats of abduction, forced marriage, as well as denial of employment, clean water and healthcare. It is dangerous to convert and for churches to integrate new converts.

Please Pray:

• Give thanks that believers are responding to recent pressure with increased prayer, evangelism and care for Muslim Background Believers
• That Christian youths will resist the temptation to respond with violence to Muslim attacks
• For Open Doors workers providing emergency support and trauma counseling to victims of attacks.

Persecution dynamics

The pattern of persecution in Nigeria is complex, especially for the twelve northern Sharia states, where local government and social groups leave hardly any space for Christians to live their own lives.

Conversion is dangerous and Muslim-background believers and Christians in many northern states suffer restrictions in schooling, threats of abduction and forced marriage. They have also been denied employment and facilities such as clean water, clinics and roads. It is very difficult for churches to openly integrate new converts from Islam.

Persecution levels vary across the country and are underlined by terrorist action and an unpredictable environment, which leaves Christians living in fear. The Islamist agenda for Nigeria is to bring the whole country under the House of Islam. The election of the current President, Goodluck Jonathan, caused serious unrest because he was a southern Christian. Many Christians fear the new elections in 2015. The future does not look bright with emerging links between al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and Boko Haram making more violent persecution likely.
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Recent News: Nigeria North: Bomb attack kills 22
25 March 2013 (Open Doors UK)

The number of people killed in a suicide bomb attack at a bus stop in the Nigerian city of Kano last week has risen to at least 22, police say, with at least 65 people injured.

On 18 March, two suicide bombers drove their explosive-laden car into a bus station in a Christian enclave in the predominantly Muslim commercial centre. Several buses, filled with people, were destroyed in the attack in the Sabon Gari district – which is home to many Christians from southern Nigeria.

The attack is the latest in an ongoing campaign of violence against Christians in Kano state. Four weeks ago, on 22 February, eight young men were killed at a Kano factory for not attending Friday prayers. They were gunned down by Islamists who tried to force them to recant their Christian faith.

Open Doors visits victims’ families

Open Doors workers have recently visited four of the men’s families in the remote Christian village of Kinugu, Kaduna state. One worker says, “Despite the sad circumstances under which we met, the bereaved families graciously received us.”

Mary, one of the mothers, told them: “Your presence today has made us look at Christianity in a new way. Taking the pains to come to this village speaks volumes about the true love that can only be found in Christ.

“We lost our boys. But we are happy that they did not recant their faith under the threats and intimidation of the people who killed them. We are assured that they are resting at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

One father, Baba Joshua, said: “This is the love of Jesus Christ on display. You have taken the footstep of Christ, coming to cry with us in our moment [of mourning]. This visit has helped me to receive some comfort in my heart. I was crying all day and night for this great loss of my son whom I was looking up to. But the words you have spoken have really strengthened me… Keep praying for us.”