NIGERIA – Churches on high alert amid rising extremist threat

A very interesting post from http://www.releaseinternational.org/ about tensions in Nigeria. This follows this post about Hugo Chavez. This follows this previous post about him consolidating his power.This follows this article about the recent news about the former ban on offshore drilling which would encourage American energy independence and prevent money from going to hostile countries such as Iran   and Venezuela. For more that you can do to get involved click HERE and read this very interesting book HERE!

NIGERIA – Churches on high alert amid rising extremist threat




Christians are fleeing the northern city of Maiduguri amid threats of further, larger-scale attacks by Islamist extremists.



Most churches in the Borno state capital have been boarded up and are under police or military guard as rumours spread that Boko Haram militants are planning a 'massive attack' at the end of the month. The widely anticipated assault would mark the two-year anniversary of the death in police custody of the extremist group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf.



Compass Direct news agency reports that church attendance in Maiduguri has fallen dramatically following a series of bomb attacks on churches there. Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria have advised churches to suspend or reschedule services. Several have changed service times to try to outwit potential attackers.



Release partner Stefanos Foundation reports a series of bomb attacks in the city on Tuesday, with targets including at least two churches. 'It is difficult to estimate the number of dead or injured, as people are presently on the run,' our partner said.



Violence has escalated since attacks began in the run-up to April's elections. In early June, ten people died in two attacks on St Patrick's Church. Pastor David Usman and church secretary Hamman Andrew were killed by Boko Haram militants on June 7 (Prayer Alert, June 13, 2011).Then on June 16, four people died in an attack on a Church of the Brethren congregation in Damboa, 54 miles from Maiduguri, Compass reports. Several other churches have been attacked.



Boko Haram has also been blamed for other recent attacks further afield, including the attack last weekend on the All Christian-Fellowship Mission in Suleja, Niger state, in central Nigeria. Three people died and seven others were seriously injured in the Suleja bombing (Prayer Alert, July 12, 2011).



Church leaders fear that unless this extremist threat is tackled, it could deepen the divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. 'This Boko Haram has to be dealt with before they plunge the entire nation into a very serious crisis,' a church leader in Maiduguri told Compass Direct.



For more information about religious persecution in Nigeria, please click here: Nigeria country profile



(Sources: Compass Direct, Stefanos Foundation)



• Pray that Christians in northern and central Nigeria will focus on God and know that their help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1). Ask God to protect churches and Christian homes.

• Pray for wisdom for state and federal governments in Nigeria in tackling this extremist threat. Pray that they will take firm action to end the violence.