The scale of persecution in Nigeria

Kano

• On Christmas Day 2019 Professor Richard Solomon Tarfa, co-founder of two Christian orphanages, is arrested and charged with ‘criminal abduction of minors’. Both orphanages are closed and the children are taken to a government-run children’s home.
• The children complain of pressure to convert, and insults and physical assaults from other residents and staff.

卡杜纳

• Approximately 500 Christians, including 20 pastors, are kidnapped for ransom during 2019.
• From 6 to 9 January 2020, 35 people are killed and 58 abducted for ransom in militia raids on ten Gbayi communities.
• On 8 January, four first-year students are abducted from a Catholic Seminary. Three are released, but 18-year-old Michael Nnadi is killed.
• Mrs Bola Ataga, abducted on 25 January with her daughters aged eight and three, is also killed. Her daughters are released after a ransom payment.

Plateau

• On 26 January 2020, 15 people are killed in an attack on Kwatas in Bokkos County. On 27 January, 17 people are killed in militia attacks on Marish and Ruboi villages in Bokkos County.

Yobe

• 17-year-old schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, who was abducted from her school over two years ago, is still being held captive by an offshoot of Boko Haram, after refusing to convert in exchange for her freedom.

Borno

• On 25 December 2019 ISWAP executes ten Christians and a Muslim.
• On 26 December bride-to-be Martha Boulos is executed near Gwoza along with her bridal party, following a Boko Haram ambush as they travelled to Adamawa state for her wedding. Ropvil Daciya Dalep, a 22-yearold Christian student, is executed by ISWAP.
• On 29 December, 17 people from Chibok are abducted from Mandragrau in Bui LGA.

Adamawa

• On 20 January a Boko Haram faction executes Rev Lawan Andimi, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Adamawa state.
• On 21 February Boko Haram faction ISWAP attacks Garkida in Gombi LGA, displacing thousands and razing three churches to the ground.

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Connect

Rev Yunusa and the CSW Nigeria team by writing to them. Download Connect & Encourage at csw.org.uk/connectencourage or email admin@csw.org.uk.