Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., April 19, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Open Doors has confirmed fresh reports that the deadly violence erupting across the northern states of Nigeria since results of the April 16 presidential election were announced is taking a deadly toll on churches, Christian homes and businesses, mission compounds and pastors.
From the cities of Maiduguri to Sokoto, both in northern Nigeria, the destruction inflicted upon Christians is enormous. More than 60 churches were torched, thousands of houses belonging to Christians were destroyed, and both pastors and church workers killed. Christians in the villages were also not spared; many Christians were seen fleeing, abandoning their homes for fear of attack.
On Monday violence erupted in the northern and predominantly Muslim states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe and Katsina, with rampaging youths taking to the streets in protest against the election victory of President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian politician of the ruling People's Democratic Party.
Open Doors has received reports of unrest in the Malumfashi area, Katsina state, where all the houses in a mission compound were torched. Numerous churches have also been destroyed and several pastors killed.
In Kaduna, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the city as destruction of property in the villages was taking place at the time of reporting.
In Kano state, many churches were burned down. At the moment, the streets in Kano City are crowded with Muslim protesters fighting with security agents. Reports reaching Open Doors disclosed that security agents were exchanging fire, causing the deaths of many protesters.
Similarly, in Yobe state, all the churches were burned down and offices and homes were not spared.
On Monday the city of Jos was in chaos when security agents overpowered and killed many Muslim protesters. But according to an Open Doors co-worker, the city is calm today. Jos is located in central Nigeria in Plateau state.
"Please pray for us," says Isaac, a member of the local Open Doors team.
Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller states: "Last year there were more martyrs in Nigeria -- approximately 2,000 Christians killed in the northern part -- than in any other country in the world. Nigeria is such a key country in the spread of Christianity all over Africa. Please join me in prayer for the Christians there, especially for those in the north."
Prayer Points:
- Pray that the unrest will calm down.
- Pray for wisdom and God's direction for the Open Doors Nigerian team.
- Pray for the Christians in the 12 Sharia (strict Islamic law)-governed states of northern Nigeria to put their trust in God amidst new attacks.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).
