The Nigerian army has had some success subduing Islamist group Boko Haram, but Christians are still being killed in Nigeria. Many of the killings are carried out by nomadic Hausa-Fulani herdsmen, a largely Muslim ethnic group that frequently targets the more settled Christian farming communities of central Nigeria. Meanwhile, 12 of Nigeria’s northern states employ Sharia (Islamic law), and Christians in these states face discrimination and restrictions in accessing community resources, such as clean water, health clinics, and higher education.
Nigeria’s Christians flee ahead of election
An exodus of Christians from the mainly Muslim city of Kano, the commercial centre of northern Nigeria, is taking place because of fears of violence ahead of this weekend’s elections. Thousands are cramming onto coaches and heading to the east or south-west of the country. ‘Kano is closing for business […]
The man who talks to Boko Haram
One year after the kidnapping of 232 Nigerian girls, Australian Stephen Davis still says his contacts indicate complicity among Nigerian politicians. A year ago April 14, Boko Haram kidnapped 275 girls from the government secondary school in the Christian-dominated town of Chibok, Borno State. Students reported to the Chibok Government Secondary […]
‘Are you ready to renounce your Christian faith?’
Anticipation of further violence as Nigeria begins voting for its next president is growing after the release of a new video shows Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau threatening that the election ‘will not happen in peace’. The chilling message will alarm Christians from Nigeria’s northern states who live in persistent […]
Boko Haram headlines hide persecution of Christians in mid-Nigeria, too
The whole world has heard of the Chibok abduction: the 276 girls, predominantly Christians, kidnapped by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria in April 2014. There are 220 still missing. But the publicity surrounding this serves to hide a more widespread persecution of Christians in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. Nigeria […]
Gunmen kill 100 Christian villagers in central Nigeria
While all eyes are on Nigeria’s north-eastern regions where the radical group Boko Haram is at last being challenged by multi-national military forces, violence targeting Christian communities in the group of states across the centre of Nigeria, known as the Middle Belt, has increased dramatically. This comes ahead of Presidential […]
Missionary, kidnapped in Nigeria, released
UPDATE Rev. Phyllis Sortor was released March 6, after 12 days as a hostage, according to a statement released by the Free Methodist Church – USA. “It appears she was kidnapped by a criminal gang, and there is no evidence this event is associated with terrorism or religion,” according to the […]
Nigerians, fearing election violence, forfeit vote to move to other end of country
Ahead of Nigeria’s general elections on 28 March, hundreds of people, fearful of election violence, have fled back to their place of origin, World Watch Monitor has been told. The election was originally scheduled for 14 February, before being postponed to the March date for security reasons. Take for example […]
Nigerian elections: will religion play a part?
As tensions rise ahead of the February 14 elections in Nigeria, some fear the country’s unity will face a new test and religious divisions will be exacerbated. The election sees a Christian presidential candidate from the south, incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, pitted against Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim candidate from the north. […]
‘Western forces’ help needed to defeat Boko Haram’
A Bishop whose north-east Nigerian diocese has suffered most at the hands of Boko Haram is calling for the West to send in military forces to defeat the militants. Bishop Dashe Dome of Maiduguri diocese, told Aid to the Church in Need, “The West should bring in security – land […]
Boko Haram – why it’s hard to know the truth
Difficulty establishing facts connected with atrocities committed by Boko Haram has prompted criticism of Nigeria’s government and military spokespeople, especially following the attack in Baga that Amnesty International has called the ‘deadliest massacre’ in the history of the terror group. According to a BBC report Nigerian authorities have been silent […]