Thursday, March 08, 2012

NIGERIA – Militants 'plan to kidnap Christian women'

A report has appeared on an Egyptian news website claiming that Islamist terrorists Boko Haram plan to kidnap Christian women in Nigeria in their move to drive Christians out of Muslim-majority areas.

The kidnap pledge follows a statement attributed to Boko Haram on March 4 threatening co-ordinated attacks 'to eradicate Christians from certain parts of the country'.

Bikyamasr.com quoted a Boko Haram spokesman as saying: 'We are going to put into action new efforts to strike fear into the Christians of the power of Islam by kidnapping their women... We will create so much effort to end the Christian presence in our push to have a proper Islamic state that Christians won't be able to stay.'

The reports have yet to be verified, but Christian sources in Nigeria have told us: 'Christians are no longer safe in the northern part of Nigeria. What began with the segregation and marginalisation of Christians… has now graduated into suicide and bombing of Christians worshippers with a clear intention of mass murder.'

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called a press conference to warn of the potential 'disintegration of the country'. CAN President Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor said Boko Haramintended to 'exterminate Christians from Nigeria'. He called for firm action by the federal Government, and for peaceful Muslims to stand against the militants.

According to reports, Boko Haram, which launched bomb attacks against Christians over Christmas, has claimed more than 1,000 lives since mid-2009, killing more than 300 so far this year.

(Sources: Bikyamasr.com, Vanguard, Channels, The Moment)

• Please pray for Christians in Nigeria, who are facing brutal persecution. Pray that they will trust strongly in the Lord and remain faithful in their witness.
• Pray for those who persecute them, that they, like Paul the Apostle, will have a revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Pray for the Christian Association of Nigeria – for strength, protection, wisdom, favour and influence.

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