Source: www.persecution.org
Date: July 31, 2024
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — In recent weeks, Nigeria has faced severe violence and insecurity, highlighting a deepening crisis for Christians. Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a police station in Borno State, killing two and seizing weapons. In Plateau State, radical Fulani herders ravaged farmland, worsening long-standing disputes. And across Nigeria, banditry and abductions continue to plague communities and affect Christians.
Boko Haram Raid Kills Policeman and Woman in Borno State
On July 28, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Jakana Police Station in Konduga County, Borno State, killing a police officer and a woman. The raid, which began around 1:00 a.m. and continued for two hours, destroyed two patrol vehicles and a motorcycle. The attackers overpowered the police, looted the station, and caused substantial damage. Local government chairman Hon Abbas Ali Abari confirmed the incident and promised further details.
Boko Haram, an extremist Islamic group opposing Western ideology, has a notorious history of violence, including the murder of tens of thousands of Christians, the destruction of churches, and the abduction of young girls for forced conversions and marriages.
Survivor of Chibok Abduction Shares Harrowing Testimony
Ihyi Abdul, recently freed from Boko Haram captivity, recounted her traumatic experience. Abducted in April 2014 and married eight men during her captivity; Abdul now has three children and is three months pregnant. Her rescue was part of a broader operation by the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, which also freed 332 other captives. Abdul’s story highlights the severe persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria’s northeast.
Radical Fulani Herdsmen Attack Farms in Plateau State
On July 23, radical Fulani herders ravaged farmland in Miango, Bassa county, Plateau State, destroying crops planted with Guinea Corn (Sorghum). This attack is part of a troubling pattern of destruction that began in 2018. The affected farmer, whose land has been increasingly converted into grazing routes, expressed deep frustration. The lack of effective intervention worsens tensions and threatens local livelihoods.
Muslim Terrorists Enforce Extortion in Kaduna State
In Kaduna State, more than 30 Christian-majority communities in Kachia county are trapped by a Muslim terrorists referred to as bandits, armed criminal gangs that extort locals. This extortion system forces residents displaced by attacks in 2022 to pay fees to bandits for the right to farm and live freely. This pattern of exploitation, previously seen in northwestern states, is now affecting central Nigeria. The system deprived Christians from farming. Despite paying the levy, more Christian farmers were abducted by the Muslim terrorists demanding huge ransoms.
Abductions and Forced Marriages of Christian Girls
The Stefanos Foundation recently reported increasing cases of abductions and forced marriages of underage Christian girls in northern Nigeria. A notable case involved Cecelia Mathias, abducted and married to a 55-year-old man after being forcibly converted to Islam. This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable girls.
Increasing Kidnappings in Southeastern Nigeria
In the southeastern region, kidnappings have escalated. On July 16, students traveling from Awka to Ebonyi were abducted by kidnappers believed to be running through several states. The rise in these incidents shows a worsening security situation in the region.