Release International

Two Christian students at the Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna State have not been seen since they were beaten unconscious by a group of Muslim women on campus.

The two Christian girls were about to bathe in their hall of residence when seven women emerged from a mosque and attacked them. The Muslim women, who were also students on the campus, were veiled and covered in Islamic robes, according to Compass Direct.

A statement from the university's Vice Chancellor, Shehu Abdullahi, said: 'When the university security personnel intervened, the girls that did the flogging ran and hid themselves in the mosque of (...) the female hostel where the nasty act took place.'

The injured girls, identified only as Joy and Priscilla, were reportedly treated in the university's health clinic but have not been seen since the attack. It happened at about 5am on March 18. James Kagbu, a chemistry lecturer on campus, said the attack had made inter-religious tensions on the campus even worse. 'We have been forced into living with marginalisation and discrimination just because we are Christians,' he said. 'Muslim students under the auspices of the Muslim Students' Society (MSS) have been terrorising Christians in the university without provocation.'

University authorities have since cancelled an open-air prayer event organised by Christians on another campus of the same university, due to take place on March 29 in response to the assault.

The Vice Chancellor has, however, announced that the leadership of the MSS has been 'proscribed' and that those found to be responsible for the attack will face 'appropriate sanctions'.

• Pray for Joy and Priscilla's safety and health. Pray that news would come quickly to confirm that they are safe and well.
• Pray for an end to inter-religious tension on campuses such as Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna State. Pray that university authorities will take a tough line on extremism in all its forms.

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