These Muslim herdsmen, along with the terror group Boko Haram, have been terrorizing and killing Christians in Nigeria with impunity for years now, with little or no significant response from the Nigerian government or military. The situation of Christians in Nigeria is a human rights catastrophe of immense proportions. The Order once again urgently implores the United Nations and the governments of all nations that are committed to human rights and religious freedom to make the plight of Nigeria’s Christians a top priority. Those Christians are walking the way of the Cross. May our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ also bless them with the joy of a resurrection and new flourishing of their communities.
“Armed gunmen kidnap 19 Christians, kill one in Kaduna State, Nigeria,” The Alabama Baptist, June 11, 2019:
Suspected Fulani herdsmen stormed a church choir practice and kidnapped 17 Christians in north-central Nigeria on May 19, the same night gunmen killed a Christian and kidnapped two others at a Baptist church, sources said. Each attack took place in Kaduna State where assaults on Christians have recently ramped up.
In Dankande village the gunmen attacked Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) after midnight as a combined choir made up of members of two churches was rehearsing.
“As we were in the church Fulani herdsmen numbering over 20 just surrounded the church and started shooting,” a local source said.
Nathaniel Waziri, chairman, of the ECWA Zaria District Church Council, confirmed May 23 the gunmen kidnapped local pastor Zakariya Ido, his daughter and 15 other church members, including the son of the pastor of an Assemblies of God church.
Christians make up 51.3% of Nigeria’s population, while Muslims living primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45%.
Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution….
