Testimony from Nigerian Christian: Modern-day Christian Persecution
The testimony you are about to read comes from Yobe State in Northern Nigeria. It is one brothers’ story about the Christian persecution and stress they continue to be burdened with, even today.
Due to security risks and safety purposes, his identity has been withheld.
I am from Nangir LGA of Yobe State and reside in Potiskum. I would like to give you some background and tell what is happening in Yobe. In the year of 1997, Muslim jihadists killed my father. Just before his demise, my father travelled to a theological school in Kaduna. When he came back to Yobe, he went to church for Holy Communion.
After some time I went to find my father. As I approached, I saw smoke coming from our church. Muslims were burning our church! For about 3 hours they carried out attacks on the churches and Christians. While carrying out the attacks, they killed my father. His grave is in an ECWA church in Potiskum.
After losing my father, I picked up the challenge to care for myself and my family. I sponsored myself to school and grew up with my mum.
After Goodluck Jonathan won the 2011 elections, Buhari supporters launched attacks on Christians and churches. They killed many of us. It has been estimated that Christians in Yobe State numbers about 10,000. The whole population of Yobe state is about 2.5 million.
When the elections were over, they attacked on a Friday. Many lives and properties of Christians were lost as a result of the post-election violence.
Last year there was a time when we were on our way from Damaturu to Potiskum. Boko Haram militants wore soldier uniforms and went to a roundabout and started attacking people. They targeted and killed policemen. They killed a migration officer in front of people.
‘It was God who saved us.’
There was also a period in which we were always hearing gunshots. Hearing gunfire became normal to us. One night we heard rumors that Boko Haram members would attack us. Later that evening, the militants moved from house to house with aim of ransacking and searching for Christians to kill. The Boko Haram members entered houses of Christians and asked them if they would convert to Islam, or remain being a Christian. They mercilessly killed Christians who refused to become Muslims.
This testimony is a true reflection of the persecution Christians face in Northern Nigeria. We need to stand for our brethren in Nigeria and ask God to remember them in our prayers!
Seven parallel translations from the Quran 8:39:
Sahih International: And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease – then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.
Pickthall: And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do.
Yusuf Ali: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
Shakir: And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.
Muhammad Sarwar: Fight them so that idolatry will not exist any more and God’s religion will stand supreme. If theygive up the idols), God will be Well Aware of what they do.
Mohsin Khan: And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do.
Arberry: Fight them, till there is no persecution and the religion is God’s entirely; then if they give over, surely God sees the things they do;
Many Christians have fled the area due to fear and because they have been the target of the attacks. The situation is pathetic because of the large numbers of Igbos and Christians that have been killed. About 30 churches in Potiskum have been burnt down. Many of us have relocated to Taraba and Jos.”
Matthew 5:3-30 (NASB)
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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