Violence on Christians in northern Nigeria continued last month with two mass kidnappings, which included children as young as two, and an incident where captives were beheaded trying to flee.
Extremist activities in different parts of northern Nigeria continue unchecked. Christians and other minority communities remain the most vulnerable to attacks.
Nearly One Hundred People Kidnapped
In two separate incidents on 15 May, armed men on motorcycles kidnapped children and teachers.
In Mussa, Borno State, around 50 children, mostly between the ages of 2 and 5, were kidnapped from three schools, the BBC reports.
In Oyo State, gunmen also invaded Ahoro-Esinele community, killing a teacher and abducting a school principal alongside an unspecified number of students when two secondary schools were attacked. Between 40 and 45 people were kidnapped. The schools are the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esiele, and the L.A Primary School in Esiele.
One of the kidnapped staff members is in a Baptist church in Yawota. The kidnapped principal appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria in a video asking for her release.
Punch reports a teacher was beheaded, according to a video released. Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, in a statement on Monday said a tactical team of soldiers attempting to intervene died when they encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) hidden by the extremists.
The school is in predominately Christian communities; however, it is not confirmed if all the children are Christians.
To our knowledge, no specific group has yet taken responsibility for the attacks.
Seven Christians Beheaded in Borno State
In another incident on 12 May, a faction of Boko Haram terrorists known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) beheaded at least seven captives when they tried to flee the camp where they were held in the mountains of Borno State.
According to reports, the executions were done in view of other captives, mostly women and children, to intensify fear among them. Sahara Reporters reports the faction holds over 400 other captives who remain in deteriorating conditions in remote mountain camps.
According to a community leader from Gwoza, all the victims were Christian. However, we are still trying to get a second confirmation from our local contacts.
According to various media reports, multiple captives have died in recent months amidst starvation, physical abuse, forced labour, a lack of medical care, and psychological pressure awaiting an uncertain fate.
Impact on the Persecuted Church
Continued attacks and kidnappings on Christian and other communities cause immense fear. “These attacks not only disrupt church activities, but the entire lives of Christians who live in fear. They can’t go to church; they can’t send their children to school. Life comes to a halt,” says Abiodun Musbau* a senior church leader in northern Nigeria. In addition, the ransoms asked for the children and teachers puts a financial pressure on the church and its members. In the past families have sold off everything just to pay the ransom.
Please Pray:
- Pray for the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of the children. Pray that someone in the place where they are held, will take care of the needs of very young children.
- Pray that God will grant their parents with peace that surpasses human understanding.
- Pray that the government and security institutions will do everything necessary to secure the release of these children.
- Pray that Holy Spirit will change the hearts of the attackers to release the captives, love Jesus, stop their actions and turn to Him for their salvation.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
