Christians attacked, churches burnt in Easter violence in Nigeria

Easter celebrations in Nigeria were marred by attacks against Christians and churches in Niger State. Mobs attacked churches, houses and businesses and stabbed a Christian youth in the chest.

In Gwada town, trouble broke out after angry youths confronted a Boys’ Brigade march. They went on to vandalise and set churches ablaze and attack the homes and businesses of 16 families.

Elsewhere, in Niger state capital Minna, troublemakers attacked a church and injured seven Christian youths, according to Release partner, the Stefanos Foundation.

The trouble in Gwada broke out after Christians had assembled on Easter Monday for a celebratory picnic. The local Boys’ Brigade were leading a procession towards the picnic spot in the hills, when a motorcyclist ran into the leader of the band, damaging the band leader’s bugle.

The rider confronted the boys, shouting that Christianity was the religion of the mad and the helpless. He made a phone call, and minutes later a mob arrived armed with knives and cutlasses.

The marching band dropped their instruments and fled, pursued by the mob who pelted them with stones and smashed their drums. The boys took refuge in a nearby police station.

By now the attackers had set fire to Holy Trinity Church, and before the police could intervene had also set fire to Ebenezer Baptist Church and a church bus. Rioters went on to vandalise a local Catholic church and houses, shops and vehicles belonging to Christians.

A police officer told the Stefanos Foundation that other officers from the state capital, Minna, had to be called in to calm the situation.

Meanwhile, in Minna itself, an attacker stabbed a Christian youth who had stepped out of the Baptist Church on an errand. He yelled: ‘Kaffir’ [unbeliever] as he stabbed him in the chest. The wounded boy survived.

Soon after, a mob descended on the church and tried to force their way in. Repeated phone calls to the police station brought no response. Eventually, the Christians managed to persuade police from another area to intervene.

Meanwhile, the mob had poured petrol on two vehicles, the church bookshop and office and had injured five Christian youths.

Release partner, the Stefanos Foundation, says 115 people have been arrested for the incidents in Gwada and Minna.

The Nigerian press has given assurances that the attacks were not religiously motivated, but the work of troublemakers. But religious and ethnic tensions, which often run together, have been high in parts of central Nigeria for years.

Release International is helping to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria, and has rebuilt homes destroyed by rioting.

Release CEO Andy Dipper says: ‘Please pray that Nigeria’s Christians will not be tempted to fight fire with fire, but will remain faithful to Christ’s commands to love their enemies and to bless those who curse them. Please also help Release to provide practical support to Christians whose homes and churches have been damaged in attacks.’

Release has produced a TV documentary on an earlier attack against Christians in Nigeria, which provides valuable insights into the ethnic and religious tensions there. The Remains of the Day is available from the Release website: www.releaseinternational.org

Through its international network of missions Release supports Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families in 30 nations. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Two stills are available of the bandleader who was attacked and the road where the attack took place. Please request these by email.

For a country profile on Nigeria, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/nigeria.php

For further information please contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

And for more information on Release International please go to: www.releaseinternational.org