NIGERIA: Christians Killed in Two More Attacks

Date of Bulletin: 11 June 2014

Photo: Gabriel Stephen survived a gunshot wound to his hip when
his village in Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram militants in
February 2014.

#PrayForNigeria

Dozens of Christians were killed and many others injured in two attacks by Boko Haram in Borno state on  June 1 and June 3. On June 1, at least 27 believers were killed and another 50 severely injured when hundreds of militants invaded the Christian community of Attagara during church services. Two days later, Boko Haram militants disguised as army officials entered the same village and lured Christians to a supposed meeting about security problems. All 45 Christians that came to the meeting were shot to death. Militants also attacked the north of the village and some surrounding Christian communities, killing dozens of women  and children who tried to flee into the hills.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources

Pray for Christians in Nigeria

Violence in Nigeria has sharply increased this year. In the first half of the year, 3,000 Christians have already been killed. A VOM volunteer worker was killed, and several field staff members lost family members in the violence. Thus far, it seems that there will be no slowing to the violence.

• Please continue to lift up Nigerian Christians daily.

• Pray for grace and encouragement for those living in refugee camps who have fled the violence in the northeast.

• Pray that God will supply their needs.

• Pray for healing and restoration for those who have been injured.

• Pray for comfort for kidnap victims and those who have lost family members.

VOM is assisting believers in Nigeria with medical help, relief goods, encouragement, literature and other aid. This year the number of patients being assisted by VOM has doubled.

#ChristianPersecution #JesusChrist #Pray #Nigeria #BokoHaram #Pebbles4Christ

NIGERIA: More Than 100 Dead in Village Attack

Date of Bulletin: 5 March 2014

Nigeria

Members of the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram attacked the Christian village of Izghe, in Borno state, on Feb. 15, killing 106 residents. They also looted businesses and stole residents' vehicles.
 

Nearly 100 members of Boko Haram, which seeks to eradicate Christianity from Nigeria and establish Sharia law, entered Izghe on trucks and motorcycles, witness Ali Ndume reported to the BBC. They shot and hacked to death male residents who had gathered in the town square. From there, they marched door to door, searching for men who had attempted to hide, shooting them or cutting their throats. They also took the life of a grandmother who had attempted to save her grandson's life.
 

The Nigerian military left the area after nine soldiers were killed last week, leaving the region even more  vulnerable to attacks from Boko Haram. The military was reportedly absent throughout the five-hour attack.
 

Source: Christian Post

Photo: Nigerian woman who survived a previous attack

Please Pray!

• Pray that God will comfort those who lost loved ones and property in this attack.
• Pray that they will sense His presence and cast their cares and anxieties upon Him.
• Pray that Boko Haram members will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Pet. 5:8-10

Voice Of the Martyrs assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian  Christians who are attacked.

NIGERIA: Christians Killed and Displaced by Boko Haram

Bulletin Date: 11 December 2013

Nigeria

The Gwoza Christian community in southern Borno state has faced increased attacks from Boko Haram insurgents in recent months. Thousands have fled to refugee camps established near the Cameroon border.

As of May 2013, more than 60 Christians had been killed and thousands displaced from many villages in the Gwoza community. About 55 churches and 541 houses have been burned or destroyed. In addition, 180 houses have been vandalized, and some are now occupied by the insurgents. Most concerning is the plight of those who witnessed the murders of their family members.

The Nigerian government has offered no relief materials to save the dying children in refugee camps and has offered no compensation to the destroyed churches. Children suffer from malnutrition and disease, while
many adults suffer from peptic ulcers, high blood pressure and premature death due to repeated attacks on their villages by the insurgents.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources

Please Pray!

• Pray for the Christians who have lost their loved ones, homes, churches and livelihoods.
• Pray that the government will step in and provide relief.
• Pray for the demise of Boko Haram and that its members will experience God's saving grace.

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." Ps. 16:1

VOM staff are caring for some of the victims of these recent attacks. VOM also assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

Borno State - Nigeria

NIGERIA: Christian Killed by Boko Haram Militants

Bulletin Date: 5 November 2013

On Sept. 24, Boko Haram militants surrounded the home of 60-year-old Sunday Luka in Gwoza (Borno State) and set his house on fire. Luka died of smoke inhalation inside the burning house.

About three months earlier, Luka and his 14-year-old son fled their home in Gwoza after receiving death threats from Boko Haram. A pastor in Adamawa state provided refuge for Luka, his son and another refugee from Gwoza while Luka looked for a safer place to relocate his family.

On Sept. 23, Luka returned to Gwoza to share food and funds that he had received from Voice Of the Martyrs with his family. The following morning, members of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram burned down the house with Luka inside.

VOM Sources

Please Pray!

Please pray for Sunday Luka's family in their time of grief and loss. Pray that Boko Haram will be uprooted from Nigeria and that a spirit of peace will reign in their place.

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20

VOM assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

NIGERIA: Twenty-Five Christian Buildings Marked for Demolition

Bulletin Date: 23 October 2013

Nigeria

Government authorities in northern Nigeria's Borno state plan to demolish 25 churches and schools,  ostensibly to make room for new housing. However, no plans for the housing development have been produced. Christian leaders believe this is yet another attempt by local governments in northern Nigeria to persecute the Christian minority.

The proposed demolitions would compound the security challenges that these believers are already facing from the militant group Boko Haram. "We have seen the eviction notice from the Borno state government," says Dr. Asake, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria. "We are Nigerians, and there are other places where the state government can develop. The areas earmarked for demolition are already developed with churches and schools. Christians have already suffered enough in Borno state."

VOM Sources, All Africa

Please Pray!

Please pray that believers will be spared the loss of their churches and schools. Pray that believers will remain firm in their faith, regardless of the outcome, and continue to serve God.

"Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." Is. 8:12-13

Voice Of the Martyrs assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

NIGERIA: Muslim Militants Target Christians in Borno State

Photo: Rev. Faye Pama

After receiving death threats from Muslim militants recently, many
Christians fled Borno state, including the areas of Maiduguri, Bama,
Konduga, Monguno, Damboa, Auno, Baga and Benishek. Many
believers who refused to leave were killed.

On April 16, militants stopped traffic near the village of Dalwa and
separated Christians from Muslims. They demanded that the
Christians recite the Shahada (Muslim confession of faith) or be killed.
The militants killed about 29 Christians who refused to renounce Christ or recite the Shahada.

Three days later in Monguno, unidentified men beat Christians and
ransacked their property. And two weeks later in Bama, militants
burned buildings and houses, killing many civilians, including
Christians.

On May 14, Rev. Faye Pama, Secretary of the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) Borno State and Assistant Secretary of the CAN
Northeast Zone, was murdered by Boko Haram militants.

VOM Sources


Please Pray!

Pray that God will intercede on behalf of believers in Nigeria, and bring an end to this senseless violence and killing. Pray that President Goodluck Jonathan will seek God's wisdom in dealing with the Muslim militant group Boko Haram.

"This You have seen, O LORD; do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Ps. 35:22-25