Release International
ATTACK AGAINST NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS 'CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED' |
| Nov 02 2007 |
A team from Release International went to Maiduguri, where rioters torched 56 churches and killed at least 50 Christians, burning 18 to death. An exclusive video report from the scene of the destruction is featured on the Release International website.
The government has described the latest outbreak of violence as the work of 'hoodlums'. But the Christian Association of Nigeria has been gathering evidence that the attacks were planned in advance.
Spokesman Pastor Enoch Atiyaye says the signal to strike came on February 18 when the ringleaders set cars alight in the square. Mobs were already in position in Christian areas of the town, armed with cutlasses and cans of petrol. The smoke from the cars was their signal to strike.
Confirmation of which churches to attack was given by mobile phone. 'All that was destroyed was churches, Christian businesses and Christian homes,' said Pastor Enoch. 'It was carefully orchestrated. They knew where their targets were.'
Militants draped a cloth banner over one burned church, describing it as the Danish Embassy. The banner was clearly constructed in advance. Yet according to Pastor Enoch and other observers the police and military did nothing to halt the widespread destruction.
Standing in the ruins of a church whose minister was necklaced with a flaming tyre, Pastor Enoch said: 'The church is in our heart, it is not in this building. They can destroy the buildings, but we are still here. I believe the church will come on strongly as a result of this.'
Release International's Chief Executive Andy Dipper adds: 'I am deeply saddened to hear news of the organised attacks on churches in northern Nigeria. Why are Christians assumed to be so dangerous that they need to be deliberately destroyed? We must pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria as they face increasing pressure to react against such attacks. Pray for a Godly response, that they can be peacemakers and model God's love for all people.'
A video report from the ruins of a destroyed church features in the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church. The webcast, which is produced as a resource for churches and prayer groups, can be viewed and downloaded from the Release International website:
http://www.releaseinternational.org/webcast
Through its Nigerian partner, Release International is supporting the families of more than 20 pastors killed by militants and 1300 other families of persecuted Christians. RI has put new roofs on the houses of Christians whose homes have been targeted. Many houses still need re-roofing and 1500 Christians await trauma counselling to help them cope with the emotional damage caused by the violence.
Go to all news on Nigeria