Release International

Christians in Nigeria fear Islamist extremists are using unrest over the Danish cartoons as an excuse to launch a 'religious war' against non-Muslims in the northern states. Fresh reports from Release International in Nigeria describe the terror of Christians who barely escaped with their lives in the violent protests.

The true scale of the worldwide backlash against the Mohammed cartoons is being brought home in Nigeria. According to conservative estimates 58 people have been killed and 30 churches destroyed in Borno state alone. A church leader has been murdered, families have been burnt in their homes and Christian shops have been looted.

A spokesman for Release International in Nigeria describes the situation on the ground: 'A Christian leader told me the protest was turning into a war against non-Muslims. When the protest started turning wild the police thought they could control it with teargas, but the mob couldn't be stopped.

'When I called our volunteer to confirm, he answered in a shaky voice, pleading that I do something to evacuate him. He explained that a few moments ago their lives were barely spared only because a Muslim man begged [for them]. The mob destroyed their cars and their house in Maiduguri.'

An Associated Press report says mobs of protesters swarmed through the city armed with machetes and iron rods. One group reportedly threw a tyre over a man, poured petrol over him and set him on fire. In one attack a man and his wife escaped but all six of their children were burnt in their home. Violence has spread to other areas leading to revenge attacks on different tribal groups.

A UK spokesman for Release International, which serves the persecuted church, said: 'It's easy to lose sight of the fact that Christians in Nigeria are paying a heavy price for Western freedom of expression. While extremists in London wave banners threatening violence, such threats are being translated into bloodshed and murder in Nigeria.'

12 of Nigeria's northern states have adopted strict Islamic law - resulting in the persecution of Christians.

Back to top