News by email Donate

Suggestions

Nigeria-flag-main_article_image.png
Creative Commons
World News

Concern amid increase of attacks on Christians in Nigeria

by Antony Bushfield

On Friday St Phillip's Church in Baki Iku, near the capital city Abuja, was ransacked by a group of Muslims unhappy that Christians were praying on the Islamic holy day.

Last week Muslim extremists murdered Eunicle Olawale, a travelling evangelist part of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in the district of Kubwa.

In the biggest city Lagos, 70 churches have been closed down by the government citing concerns about noise.

Politicians are trying to wipe-out noise pollution by 2020 by in contrast has only closed 20 mosques and a dozen pubs, hotels and clubs.

In June one person was killed after churches and homes were set on fire during an attack in the southern Kaduna State.

Radical Islam is being blamed for all the attacks.

Tanya Corbett from anti persecution charity Open Doors told Premier's News Hour it was very worrying.

She said: "Attacks seem to be happening more frequently and they seem to be increasingly severe and very violent.

"It's a pattern that's emerging across Sub Saharan Africa where there is an increase in Islamisation.

"The threat and the fear of persecution is used to intimidate people and to drive people out of villages and communities.

"Obviously horrific attacks like these mean people are even more scared, even more fearful."

Open Doors said the problem could be much worse than is reported. Cases of persecution against Christians could be as much as 50 per cent higher than figures suggest, the charity said.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate