“You will have trouble, but take heart, the Lord has overcome the world.”
[Mar.23.2023] Samuel Sey, a freelance writer, recently published a column for the Christian Post titled “The Deadliest Country to Christians”. In his column, he said, “The deadliest country in the world for Christians is Nigeria, not Afghanistan or North Korea.”
Last year, 5,621 Christians worldwide were killed for their faith, 90% of whom were Northern Nigerians, he said. Missions agencies have reported that persecution of Christians has reached its highest in 30 years, largely due to what has happened in northern Nigeria over the past 24 years.”
“About half of Nigeria’s population is Christian, and most of them live in the south,” he said.
And the other half of the population is Muslim, most of whom live in the north,” he said. “The north is where the Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands over the past decade. Boko Haram is permitted by Sharia, and there is a direct link between terrorism there and Sharia.”
“Boko Haram was founded in 2002 in northern Nigeria. This came shortly after 12 northern states reintroduced Sharia law from 1999 to 2001. Last year was the deadliest year for Christians in Nigeria. At least 5,000 Christians have been killed because of sharia blasphemy laws, terrorist attacks and mob violence,” he added.
Among them, he cited Deborah Samuel, a female college student who was murdered by schoolmates on May 12, 2022, as a victim case. When Samuel, a student at the University of Northern Sokoto, was asked by her classmate on WhatsApp how she had passed a recent exam, she replied “Jesus”.
Some of her classmates demanded Deborah withdraw her response, and when she refused, a local mob rallied. She was hiding in the school security office but was discovered by them and burned to death after a brutal assault.
More recently, northerner Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a singer-songwriter in his early 20s, was sentenced to death for blasphemous messages.
“By God’s grace, ADF International is supporting Yahaya,” said Sey. After suffering three years in prison, he appealed to the higher court, and the case will be judged by the Nigerian Supreme Court. If he wins, he could not only save his life but also trigger the repeal of blasphemy laws in northern Nigeria.”
Finally, he appealed, “Brothers and sisters, remember our brothers and sisters in northern Nigeria and pray for them” (source: Christian Today synthesis).
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:20, 33)
God, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Northern Nigeria who are facing increasing persecution. May You help them to be victorious even in the midst of severe persecution and ill-treatment of the society and help them continue to uphold the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ who conquered death. May they always be prepared to answer those who seek the truth and ask the source of their hope so that the persecutors will also find hope and light in Christ Jesus and be saved. We pray that the Nigerian church will move forward with bold faith, relying on You who turns sorrow into joy.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
