Release International

Release partners in Nigeria are calling on the international community to help protect the church in Plateau State after a second brutal attack on Christians in less than a fortnight.

Armed men launched a night assault on Byei and Baten villages on March 17, murdering at least 12 people, including children. Most were killed in their beds. Several houses were burnt to the ground. Release partners have been visiting the injured in hospital.

This latest assault, which took place 29 miles south of Jos, comes less than two weeks after the massacre of up to 500 Christians in Zot, Dogo Nahauwa and Rastat villages on March 7 (Prayer Alert, March 16, 2010). In both assaults, ethnic Berom Christians were the target, Fulani Muslim herdsmen the aggressors.

Although the attack on Byei and Baten villages is believed to be linked to a land dispute between the Berom and Fulani, commentators have noted that the killings bore the hallmark of jihadist extremism. Survivors reported that gunmen in military uniform led the assault, joined by Fulani Muslims in normal clothes with machetes.

Again, the attack took place despite military and police enforcing an ongoing curfew in Plateau State. Release has joined a growing chorus of voices now calling on the international community to step in and protect Christians in this central Nigerian state.

Plateau State governor Jonah Jang said recent attacks were severely testing Christians' faith and patience. But he added: 'I know that nothing happens that God is not aware [of], particularly when it happens to His children.'

(Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Compass Direct, Release International, This Day Online)

• Pray for all those bereaved or injured in Byei and Baten. Ask God to give them the strength to endure – and to forgive.
• Pray that the international community will now step in to ensure there is no repeat of the bloodshed which has plagued the Jos area in recent months and years.

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