3 February 2012
Since the start of the year, the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed more than 250 people in the mainly Muslim north of the country.
Boko Haram, which means ‘Western education is sinful’ in the Hausa language spoken in northern Nigeria, focuses its attacks on the police, military and government but has recently been blamed for attacks on Christian institutions.
The attacks on churches and believers in some northern states like Yobe, Borno and Adamawa have led to the exodus of thousands of Christians to Jos and other cities and towns in the middle and southern parts of the country. Reports suggest in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state, only 12 churches out of 94 have been left standing. In January bomb attacks and gun battles in Kano, Nigeria’s second largest city, resulted in 186 deaths – Boko Haram’s most deadly attack to date.
Many displaced Christians (estimated to over 2,000) have arrived in Jos seeking support in terms of accommodation and food. Tearfund partners are providing relief materials, such as food and clothing to some of these displaced people and an appeal has been made for Christians to support these refugees by opening up their homes to them.
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Please pray for all people in Nigeria who have been displaced as a result of recent violence in the north of the country. Pray God will provide for their needs and strengthen and comfort them during the difficult times ahead.
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Pray for the wider Christian population in Nigeria, that they will feel moved to open up their homes to their brothers and sisters in need. Pray that they will be a support to those in difficulty as they show God’s love in action.
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Pray the situation in northern Nigeria is brought under control and that the current violence will be replaced with peace.
One Voice
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