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NigeriaHostile
Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Overview:
Nigeria is almost evenly divided between Muslims, who dominate in the north, and Christians, who dominate in the south. There are more than 80 million professing Christians in Africa’s most populous nation, the fruit of both pioneer mission work and freed slaves who returned to the continent from Europe with the gospel following the 1833 abolition of slavery in England. Foreign missionary activity in the north has declined significantly since 2008 as a result of the emergence of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. Based in the north, Boko Haram is affiliated with al-Qaida and has also aligned itself with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS). Although Boko Haram has weakened somewhat in the northeast, it still carries out devastating attacks in the Christian communities and on army units in the region. Boko Haram is also reportedly backing ongoing attacks on Christian villages by militant Fulani Muslims, who have concentrated their attacks in the central region of Nigeria. Terrorist groups and other Muslims in the north want to drive Christians out of the region and continue their push to create a separate nation governed by Islamic law.
Major Religion:
51 percent of Nigerians are Christians. The nation is divided between Christians and Sunni Muslims, with most Christians in the south and most Muslims in the north.
Persecutor:
The Boko Haram Islamic extremist group and militant Fulani Muslims both attack Christians throughout northern Nigeria.
What It Means To Follow Christ In Nigeria
Nearly all Christians in northeastern Nigeria have lost family members or friends in attacks by Boko Haram or militant Fulani Muslims. Entire congregations have been displaced, and many pastors have been forced to leave the region. Being active in church looks much different than it did at the beginning of the 21st century. It now takes great courage and faith to openly worship and serve Christ. Thousands of Christians remain in camps designated for internally displaced people. With few schools able to function because of the violence, families are concerned about their children’s education. Life is a constant struggle, and in some places it is difficult for Christians to find food. Famine threatens farms in the north as a result of ongoing Islamist violence, and militant Fulani Muslims kill farmers when they attempt to return to their farms. In addition, many villages and farmlands have been taken over by the Islamist militias.
Access To Bibles:
While Bibles are plentiful in the south, there is a great need for them in the north. Many Bibles have been lost in attacks and as people have been displaced. Most Christians in the north do not own a Bible, and even if they were available, few in the north could afford them. Give Bibles
VOM Work:
VOM supports widows who have lost their husbands in Islamist attacks, and trains and equips pastors in the north. We also provide study Bibles, New Testaments and Christian discipleship literature to believers. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for Sade and her children, who were driven from their home by militant Fulani Muslims.
- Pray for the boldness of front-line workers in areas where Islamist violence is common.
- Pray that displaced congregations in northeastern Nigeria will experience God's provision.
- Pray that members of Boko Haram and other Islamic terrorist groups will repent and place their faith in Christ.
- Pray that Christians, through God's grace, will be able to forgive their persecutors, some of whom are their neighbors.
- Pray that widows and orphans will experience God's comfort, presence and provision in their loss.