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Nigeria: Terror group releases video threatening to kill abducted Christian cleric within a week

February 28, 2021

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria continues despite the fact that Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims and Christians. There is a small number of Orthodox Christians in the country. Yet despite the large numbers of Christians, the persecution has grown so brazen and virulent as to be a near-daily occurrence. Bulus Yakuru here appeals to the Nigerian government, but he has little hope of being heard: for years now, the Nigerian government and military have done little to stop the persecution of Christians. In fact, both frequently appear to sympathize with the attackers. 

The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, once again urgently implores the United Nations and the governments of all nations that are committed to human rights and religious freedom to make the plight of Nigeria’s Christians a top priority. Those Christians are walking the way of the Cross. May our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ also bless them with the joy of a resurrection and new flourishing of their communities.

For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria from ChristianPersecution.com, see here.

“Boko Haram Gives Government A Week Deadline To Free Pastor,” by Murtala Abdullahi, HumAngle, February 25, 2021:

The Abubakar Shekau led faction of the terror group Boko Haram has given an ultimatum for the release of Bulus Yakuru, a Christian cleric abducted on Christmas eve in Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria.

At least seven people were killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the village of Pemi in Borno State on Dec. 24 2020, during which the cleric was taken away.

Pemi is located approximately 20 kilometres from Chibok, where Boko Haram insurgents had abducted hundreds of schoolgirls.

The pastor has previously appeared in two Boko Haram videos days after the abduction in Dec. and early Jan. 2021, where he also pleaded for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention, Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State and church leaders to rescue him. The demands for his safe release have been communicated to the authorities.

In a new video, Pastor Yakuru identified himself and pleaded with Nigeria’s President, Borno State Governor and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella body of Christians in the country, to intervene and secure his release.

In the video, the pastor was given a one-week ultimatum by his abductors, reinstated by a fighter holding a knife standing behind him. The deadline, according to the terrorists, ends next Wednesday….