Nigeria (MNN) ― Boko Haram's march toward chaos continues. The leader of the militant Islamic sect appeared in a video posted January 11 to justify his group's attacks on Christians in the northern part of Nigeria.
In the video, he also declared war on Christians. Aside from Boko Haram's determination to institute Sharia law across the rest of Nigeria, they've vowed to render Nigeria "ungovernable." Since 1999, Muslim state leaders have imposed Shariah law in 12 northern states and parts of four others.
More than 85 people have died in bomb and gun attacks since Christmas Day on churches in Abuja, the capital, and in the north. 15 sections of the country remain under a state of emergency as assaults were launched on universities, police, secular courts, Christian churches and mosques. President Goodluck Jonathan also closed Nigeria's borders with Chad and Niger Republic.
The continuous stream of violence has stoked fears that the government can't stop the escalating religious violence in Africa's most populous country. At the same time, a move to end a fuel subsidy provoked several days of protests in Lagos.
According to the Voice of the Martyrs USA and the Voice of the Martyrs Canada, what this means is: the scale of persecution of Christians by Muslims is likely to spread from Nigeria's northern states to the central plateau. Church leaders are warning that Christians will defend themselves by whatever means necessary.
Voice of the Martyrs teams are already responding to medical needs, meeting victims in hospitals, helping them get care, and paying medical bills.
Pray that the Lord will minister to the survivors of the attacks and help them overcome their present sufferings. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice and that they will come to repentance and gain knowledge of Christ. Pray that God will frustrate the plans of the enemy so the current threat will come to nothing.
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