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Persecution News - Nigeria

Nigeria Profile

Total Area:
923,768 sq. km

Population:
138,283,240 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Nigeria is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Language:
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Religion:
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, Indigenous Beliefs 10%

Government Type:
Federal republic

Capital:
Abuja

Population Below Poverty Line:
70% (2007 est.)

Country Reports

Local Elections Result in Anti-Christian Violence

November 28, 2007

^{Danyaro Bala
Photo from}^{Compass Direct}

Local elections in the Sumaila area of Nigeria turned violent on November 17 after news reports showed a Christian candidate ahead in the polls, signifying the first ever victory for a Christian in the area. In reaction to these results, local Muslims turned on a Christian community in Gani, destroying houses and shops. According to a November 26 report from Compass Direct, several Christians were injured in the attack and a school teacher, Danyaro Bala, was killed. The military was eventually called in to restore order.

Danyaro's brother believes the attack was clearly an attempt to force Christians to submit to Islam. He told Compass, "The selection of only houses of Christians and their shops for destruction shows clearly that Muslims were out to force us into submitting to their hold on political leadership."

Danyaro is survived by a wife and eleven children. He was an elder and key leader in his local church.

Pray for Danyaro's wife and children as they grieve this tragic loss. Pray for peace in the area.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, go to the Nigeria Country Report.

Watch for a new 60-minute video documentary on Nigeria available from The Voice of the Martyrs in mid-December, entitled "The Remains of the Day."