Release International

Armed militants have attacked the home of an Anglican bishop in Kaduna state -- for the fourth time in a year.

The latest attack on the household of Rt Rev Ali Buba Lamido in Wusasa district began as all the others had: a gang of men approached his guards and announced they wanted to kill him.

They fired into the air, then attacked the bishop's staff in the courtyard. A guest of one of the guards was shot dead; a guard and another worker were seriously injured.

Lamido believes the attack is the work of Islamist militants because of parallels between this and attacks on other clergy in Kaduna, which is under Sharia law. 'It is difficult to believe that it was not religiously motivated because some bishops have been attacked and one priest was murdered in a similar way,' he told Compass Direct. 'And the killers never stole anything from their houses.'

The bishop is the only Christian leader in Nigeria to come from the Fulani ethnic group. He presides over a diocese of the Church of Nigeria where 98 per cent of members in his denomination are from the indigenous Hausa community. Both Hausa and Fulani groups are largely Muslim. Indeed, Lamido himself was raised as a Muslim.

Lamido's congregation in Wusasa includes about 100 Christians who were raised as Muslims. They have fled persecution in Sharia states such as Zamfara.

Lamido has been an outspoken critic of persecution against the Church, says Compass. As well as their churches being destroyed, Christian communities in Kaduna are denied access to water, schools, clinics and proper roads.

• Pray for Bishop Ali Buba Lamido and his staff. Ask God to set His angels around the household and protect its members from further attack.
• Pray for Christians in Sharia states such as Kaduna who are discriminated against in every way. Pray that God would strengthen them and add to their number.

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