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Violence in Nigeria

Meeting the Physical and Spiritual Needs of persecuted Christians in Jos

Please pray that the copies of God's Word that friends like you  helped provide will bring hope to children in Nigeria...

The Christians of the city of Jos are familiar with suffering. The capital of Plateau state, a Christian region bordered by seven Islamic sharia* states, has seen much violence in recent years. 

Violence in Nigeria is still vivid in the memories of the people of Jos is the outbreak of rioting in 2001. During those months of violence, hundreds lost their lives in the fighting, which led to much bloodshed, carnage and untold suffering.

The people of Jos were fearful when tensions began to rise again last November. Their worst fears were quickly realized when once again violence erupted. 

Official reports claim that this most recent bloodbath was politically motivated because Muslims were unhappy with the outcome of local elections. Some Christian leaders think, however, that extremists used the elections as an excuse to rid Jos of Christians and to move towards forcibly claiming the city for Islam.

Whatever the cause, the results of the violence in Nigeria are stark. More than 30,000 people were displaced from their homes, and are now living in makeshift camps. Forty-five church buildings were looted and burned. And 129 Christians—including five pastors—were killed.

Home set on fire last November.

Working around the clock

Thanks to the support of friends like you, Open Doors teams in Nigeria are now working around the clock to meet the needs of the victims. 

We have provided assistance with medical expenses for those facing severe injuries, and our teams have also begun to provide relief aid for 50 Christian women whose husbands were killed in the violence—including the widows of the five murdered pastors.

With your support, this financial aid will continue in the months ahead, helping those whose houses were destroyed to reconstruct their homes, and in the meantime providing them with temporary housing.

As always, Open Doors co-workers have also been providing spiritual care and encouragement following the violence in Nigeria. Our teams have made Bible distribution a priority, not only in the hospitals and displacement camps, but also in providing new theological library sets for pastors who lost all their books and materials to fire. 

“This is a wonderful development,” said Brother Reuben who received one of the Open Doors Bibles. “While others are thinking only of physical food, you have brought us Life in its entirety. This is what we need in a time like this.”

“The Christians in the camps realize they are not alone,” said Isaac, an Open Doors co-worker who was himself also targeted during the rioting. “Our presence and support will go a long way to strengthen them to focus on Jesus alone and to forgive those who subjected them to this hardship.”

Healing emotional wounds

For many, forgiveness will not come easily. “To be honest with you, I can’t forgive the Muslims now,” sobs Jemima.

Jemima mourns her husband's death.

“They killed my husband and burned down my house. Maybe later I can forgive them, but not now.”

“The Bible says we should ‘turn the other cheek’,” adds Pastor Stephen, a well-respected church leader in Jos. “But I am finding it difficult,” he admits.

To help these brothers and sisters deal with the emotional scars they carry, Open Doors teams are planning two trauma counseling seminars. Thirty-five church leaders will be invited to attend each week-long program, where they will be given counseling, and taught how to minister to members of their congregations who are also enduring such pain.

Please pray for the Open Doors teams in Nigeria as they carry out this vital work—bringing practical and spiritual care to our suffering brothers and sisters in Jos. And thank you for helping meet the immense physical and spiritual needs of our suffering brothers and sisters through your ongoing support. 

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