Release International

Release is calling on supporters to pray for its partners trying to support Christians caught up in ongoing sectarian violence in central Nigeria.
Release partners report that at least 24 Christians have been killed in targeted attacks around Jos, Plateau state, since Thursday – as sectarian rioting in the Jos area and parts of Bauchi state continues to claim lives.

At least six people were killed in a raid on Dorowa village in the Barkin Ladi area near Jos on Thursday and 18 others died in neighbouring Christian villages, Release partners report. More than 30 homes in Dorowa were burnt down.

Religious rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that six villages in total in Barkin Ladi were attacked on January 27.

Meanwhile, sectarian violence continues in several parts of central Nigeria. In Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state, 35 people died in clashes on Thursday, police reportedly told news agency Agence France-Presse. Arson attacks in the town reportedly destroyed five mosques and 50 houses. An unexploded bomb was found and defused in a Methodist church in Bauchi city yesterday.

This weekend, the Plateau state capital, Jos, witnessed rioting in which churches, mosques and homes were set ablaze.

Release partners and Christian leaders in the region continue to call on officials to ensure that the Joint Task Force charged with peacekeeping in the region becomes more proactive in protecting vulnerable Christian communities.

Christians in the city of Maiduguri in Borno state, north-east Nigeria, are also fearful after Islamist sect Boko Haram murdered governorship candidate Modu Fannami Gubio and five others last Friday.

(Sources: Agence France-Presse; Bloomberg; Christian Solidarity Worldwide; Stefanos Foundation; The Nation, Nigeria)

• Pray God's perfect peace to rest over Christians in areas of central and north-east Nigeria affected by sectarian conflict or Islamist extremism.
• Continue to pray specifically that Christians will not be tempted to retaliate.
• Pray particularly for Release partners in the area, who are under immense pressure trying to support affected Christian communities.

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