For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.
For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria from ChristianPersecution.com, see here.
“Islamic Extremist Terrorists Kill, Kidnap Christians in NE Nigeria,” Morning Star News, January 25, 2022:
ABUJA, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Four Christians were killed and 22 girls kidnapped in Islamic extremist attacks on Thursday (Jan. 20) and Jan. 14 in the Chibok area of Borno state, Nigeria, sources said.
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Thursday (Jan. 20) attacked Pemi village, killing a Christian identified as Blan Gutto, kidnapping 17 Christian girls ages 10 to 13 and burning down a Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) building, said area resident James Nkeki. They also burned the shop of Ayuba Bulus, also a Christian, he said.
“One of the girls kidnapped I know in person is Miss Roya Joel,” Nkeki said. “More than two dozen houses were burned down, and I must say that these attacks on our communities are getting out of hand. We need your prayers for God’s deliverance from these forces of evil.”
In nearby Kautikari on Jan. 14, ISWAP militants killed three Christians and kidnapped five Christian girls, area residents said. The terrorists also burned down the village’s EYN worship building.
Area resident Victoria Dunga identified the Christians killed as Joseph Sangula, Ayal Yerima Kau and Friday Abdu. She said the five kidnapped girls were Naomi Titus, Lami Yirma, Hauwa Gwarabutu and two sisters, Rahap and Saratu Born.
“Burning down our churches will not stop us from worshipping God,” Dunga said in a text message….
Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith last year (Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021) at 4,650, up from 3,530 the previous year, according to Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List report. The number of kidnapped Christians was also highest in Nigeria, at more than 2,500, up from 990 the previous year, according to the WWL report.
Nigeria trailed only China in the number of churches attacked, with 470 cases, according to the report.
In the 2022 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to seventh place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 9 the previous year.
