We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Nigeria: Easter attacks

pattern

Two attacks in Nigeria over Easter highlight the heightened risks facing millions of Christians during Holy Week. In many places, services are more regular and prominent, and this can expose Christians to hostility. Believers in Nigeria are especially prone to violent attacks; last year, more than 5,000 Christians lost their lives for their faith – that’s more than anywhere else in the world combined. The country is sixth on the World Watch List. Please pray over these two terrible incidents.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday (2 April), a young boy was killed and at least three people were kidnapped, including a pastor, in an attack on a church in northern Nigeria by suspected Fulani militants.

Pastor Gwadue Kwaghtyo was leading an early morning prayer vigil at the church in the village of Akenawe in Benue State on Sunday when gunmen stormed in. “As they were praying, they were surrounded by the armed men,” reports Salome Tor, Chairman of Logo LGA. “They kidnapped three people, killed one boy and injured two people; they are now in the hospital.”

Good Friday

On Good Friday, at least 32 Christians were killed in an attack by suspected Fulani militants on an internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Benue State. Many of the victims are believed to be women and children.

“The ugly incident occurred [at 9pm] while people were asleep,” the chairman of the camp told Open Doors local partners. “The militants invaded the camp … when they noticed that people became aware of their presence, they started shooting which resulted in the death of 32 persons.”

The IDP camp houses nearly 30,000 people, mostly Christians who have fled their villages because of Fulani militant attacks. The camp mainly comprises women and children and is next to a primary school and, until the attack, was believed to be safe.

PRAY NOW...
1

For the Lord’s peace and protection to rest over Christians in Benue State

3

That leaders will be given wisdom and discernment as they look after people amid these tragedies, and that the government will put in place stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

2

That those grieving and traumatised will tangibly know God’s healing and comforting presence

DO SOMETHING…
  • 1
    Order our new 2023 World Watch List interactive prayer map...

    Order Now
  • 2
    Take on the Risk Factor quiz and share your score with your friends...

    Start the quiz
  • 3
    3. Choose to Lose and raise money and prayer for those losing out because of their faith in Jesus...

    Sign up now…
NEWS
                                    
September 18, 2023

Your prayers are needed following yet another awful attack on Christians in Nigeria, in which a student was killed.

Find out more
                                    
September 18, 2023

A summer camp for children and teenagers run by christians in Central Asia was raided by police and the camp leader was arrested and fined…

Find out more
                                    
September 12, 2023

Pray now as almost 3,000 people have died and hundreds more have been injured in the disaster…

Find out more
                                    
September 4, 2023

“We will not give up our faith; we believe that God will continue to reveal Himself to us and to these people…”

Find out more
                                    
September 4, 2023

Aasif bravely led more than 30 people to believe in Jesus, but in the end he paid the ultimate price for his faith…

Find out more
                                    
August 29, 2023

“Looking back, to be honest, we’re feeling nervous, fearful and worried, as it’s our first time to encounter this…“

Find out more
                                    
August 29, 2023

“The frequency and scale of such attacks – which are systematic, violent – appear to have increased in the last several years…”

Find out more
                                    
August 14, 2023

Been to a summer camp or festival? Did you know in some places it’s dangerous to host these kind of events, but, they are still happening…

Find out more
                                    
August 14, 2023

Imagine being at school and getting called into the principal’s office where you face pressure to give up your faith in Jesus…

Find out more
                                    
August 7, 2023

Pray for 20 year old Yusuf who was rejected by family and kicked out of home when he chose Jesus…

Find out more
btn-scroll