Nigeria: Local Authorities May Try to Seize Church Land
Sep 18 2007
Postings >> Nigeria

Christians in eastern Nigeria have been tipped off that the local authorities may try to seize land that the church has bought for a mission school.

The land has been earmarked for 'a school of missions and discipleship' ever since it was acquired by Missionary Crusaders Ministries (MCM). But now the group has been told that Muslim state officials will snatch most of the land unless it builds a wall round it, 'which will serve to lay claim to it and silence the authorities'.

The US-based Christian Aid Mission, which supports MCM, reports that the local land commissioner warned MCM of the authorities' plans on a visit earlier this month. It also reports that the cost of building a wall would be prohibitive in such an impoverished area. MCM, whose workers are local people, has been in this area of eastern Nigeria for more than 20 years, providing aid and spreading the gospel among the indigenous Koma people.

Its work has often met with opposition from Muslim officials and Islamist militants in the area. The precise location of the land has not been given for security reasons. BosNewsLife reports that in states with Muslim-majority rule, authorities have become 'emboldened' to challenge Christian projects since Muslim president Yar'Adua was elected.

Pray

• Ask God to ringfence this land with His protection, so that it can bless the area.
• Ask God to strengthen the resolve of Christians involved in this building project.

Act

• Christian Solidarity Worldwide is holding a prayer event for Nigeria as a whole on Saturday 13 October, 2-6pm, at The Redeemed Christian Church of God (Inspiration House), 54-80 Ossory Road, London SE1 5AN (nearest Tube: Elephant and Castle). For more details, call 0845 456 5464.