Of the 5,500 Christians who were killed last year because of their faith, 90 percent were Nigerian, according to the Catholic news service, Crux and the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), an NGO headquartered in Eastern Nigeria. Additionally, Intersociety reported that over the past 14 years, 52,250 people have been killed in Nigeria for their Christian faith.
Nigeria’s Constitution “forbids the federal and state governments from establishing a state religion, forbids religious prejudice, and guarantees people’s right to freely choose, practise, spread, or modify their faith,” says Crux.
While this declaration may seem outwardly beneficial for Christians, Megan Meador from Alliance Defending Freedom said her organisation has “had cases where Christians have been hauled in front of Sharia courts, without jurisdiction, and accused of crimes like apostasy, which is not supposed to be a crime in Nigeria.”
The danger Christians face in Nigeria ranges from individual to family, community, and government. Despite its efforts, as proven through the constitution, Nigeria fails to protect its population of approximately 108.3 million Christians, roughly half of its total population.
Over the past twenty years specifically, Nigeria has faced increased violence against Christians, particularly in the northern region of the country.
Indeed Yeshua is as sweet as a pineapple. Lord may you continue to use this courageous man Abdu to spread your gospel to these muslims. May he receive every good gift from you he needs to do your Will. Protect him Father from the enemy.
In your precious name we pray
1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.
2 It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
’tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.
3 O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.
4 How weak the effort of my heart,
how cold my warmest thought;
but when I see you as you are,
I’ll praise you as I ought.
5 Till then I would your love proclaim
with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of your name
refresh my soul in death.
Psalter Hymnal, 1987 Author John Newton