CALL FOR PRAYER AND INCREASED SECURITY FOR NIGERIA’S CHRISTIANS AFTER CHRISTMAS BOMB ATTACKS
Release International has called for prayer and tighter security for Nigeria’s Christians after Islamist militants bombed churches for the second Christmas running. Some observers warn that Boko Haram, which wants to impose strict Islamic law in the country, is trying to spark a sectarian civil war.
In the second wave of attacks within a week Boko Haram planted bombs at churches in Madalla, near the capital Abuja, and in Jos and Gadaka. The bomb in Madalla went off as worshippers packed the church for the Christmas service, killing around 35 and injuring at least 50 others.
Gadaka is in Yobe state in the north, where Islamic law has already been imposed, but where a Christian minority remains. Jos is in Plateau state, the dividing line between the largely Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.
Partners of Release International, which serves the suffering church worldwide, believe the Islamists’ aim may be to tear the country in two, creating a separate north ruled by strict Sharia law.
Release CEO Andy Dipper, says: ‘Please pray for those whose family members have been killed and injured as they celebrate Christmas. Pray that in their grief they will know the presence of Jesus, who is both Emmanuel, God with us, and the Prince of Peace.
‘Pray that Christians will not allow themselves to be provoked into retaliation, and that the government will protect Christians where they are in a minority and deal effectively with the terrorist threat to their nation.’
Through its international network of missions Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.
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