Release International

Release partner Stefanos Foundation reports that vast numbers of Christians are fleeing the northern city of Maiduguri to escape the continuing violence perpetrated by the extremist Boko Haram group.

The Islamist militants, who have ordered Christians to leave the north of the country, bombed two churches in Bauchi state in the early hours of Sunday. This followed a series of blasts in Kano state on Friday which killed 160 people – mostly police and military. The final death toll from the weekend's violence is expected to exceed 200.

Stefanos, which said that tens of thousands of people had fled Boko Haram's stronghold, Maiduguri in Borno state, since Christmas, has sent us an urgent appeal for funds to provide emergency camps and food, clothing and medical aid.

The bombing of the two churches was a stark reminder of Boko Haram's stated aim of imposing strict Sharia (Islamic law) across Nigeria. Stefanos said that other attacks involving the maiming and killing of Christians had also been reported.

There remains a heavy military presence in Kano. Stop-and-search missions yesterday revealed the presence of several abandoned vehicles laden with bombs, according to Reuters news agency.

For more news and a country profile of Nigeria, click here

NEWS UPDATE:
Tomorrow, the High Court in Lahore is scheduled to hear the 'closing arguments' in the appeal of Pakistan Christian Ruqqiya Bibi who was given a 25-year sentence for 'blasphemy' in March 2010. Her alleged crime was that of 'defiling the Koran' by touching it with unwashed hands. The appeal is brought by Release partner CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement) which is supporting Ruqqiya and her family. Her husband Munir Masih, who was given the same sentence, was released on bail in December 2010 – but Ruqqiya has remained in custody.

(Sources: BBC, CLAAS, International Christian Concern, Reuters, Stefanos Foundation)

• Pray that God will grant His wisdom and grace to church leaders in northern Nigeria amid this heightened terrorist threat. Pray that community leaders and ordinary people of every faith and none will unite against this threat. Pray for a good response to our emergency appeal on behalf of Stefanos.
• Pray that Ruqqiya Bibi's appeal tomorrow will be successful. Pray that she and her husband will be acquitted, and ask God to keep them safe from extremists.

If you would like to donate to our appeal for Nigeria please click here

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