Nigerian authorities are trying to restore calm in the northern state of Kaduna after fighting between communities. It’s reported 55 people have been killed in the last few weeks in the Kasuwan Magani area.
So far in 2018, hundreds of people have been killed in outbreaks of communal violence across Nigeria. It means security is now a key campaign issue ahead of the February 2019 general election.
The unrest is one of the main causes of a developing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria that has forced many people from their homes.
• Around 1.7 million people live in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs).
• An estimated 7.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
• In seven years of conflict, more than 20,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram-related incidents.
Building peace
Several Tearfund partners are working to bring peace in Nigeria. These include SUWA, CRCN, ECWA-POD, and CCDP. Their peacebuilding initiatives help Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers to work together and live peacefully.
With around 190 million people, Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation. It’s split almost equally between Christians and Muslims, with around 250 different ethnic groups living side-by-side, in the most part peacefully.
Paul Mershak, Tearfund’s Country Representative for Nigeria, says: ‘If we are to tackle the violence then peacebuilding focusing on interfaith community dialogue is vital.’
Please continue to pray for this nation and its people.
PRAYER FOCUS:
• Pray for God to comfort those who have lost loved ones and homes in the violence. May there be peace in Nigeria. Without peace it’s harder to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis.
• Ask God to encourage and equip Tearfund’s staff and partners as they provide urgent aid and implement longer-term peace-building work.
• Thank God for those communities who have already learned to put their differences aside and live in peace side-by-side. May their example shine through.
