Hundreds Killed, Thousands Flee After Attacks On Christians In Jos

The home of Isaac (not his real name), an Open Doors representative, was looted and burnt down on November 28 during violence that engulfed the Nigerian Plateau State capital of Jos. Reliable sources reported the violence was caused by Muslims dissatisfied with the results of a recent local government election. Open Doors has reason to believe that Isaac and his family were targeted.

A young Muslim man, who had befriended the family over a period of time under false pretences, paid a visit to Isaac’s wife at home. He urged her and the children to stay at home for their safety. He even promised to protect her and the children in Isaac’s absence, if necessary.

At that very moment, Isaac returned home with news of chaos in the center of town. He then went to get his vehicle at the church and to drive his family to safety. In his absence and without his knowledge, Muslims were coming after his family. But they ran for their lives and miraculously managed to escape unharmed.

Muslims later broke into Isaac’s house and looted the home. They continued to pour fuel on the remaining properties before setting the house on fire. The house, with all its contents, was burned to the ground.

Open Doors thanks God for protecting Isaac and his family during the violence. At the moment they are taking refuge in a safer area. Open Doors is in the process of addressing the immediate needs of the family and helping them relocate.

Violence Started Last Weekend

According to Compass Direct News, communal violence broke out in Jos on November 28 after Muslims began attacking Christians on claims of vote-tampering, leaving hundreds dead and thousands fleeing their homes. After officials reportedly refused to post local council election results on November 27 – prompting speculation that a party backed largely by Christians had won – Muslim gangs in the Ali Kazaure area of the city began attacking Christians, according to local residents.

Violence along political, ethnic and religious lines followed, with security forces said to be responsible for killing more than 300 Muslims whose bodies were later brought to one mosque.

According to Compass Direct, last Saturday officials announced that the ruling People’s Democratic Party, backed mainly by Christians, had won 16 of 17 council seats, defeating the All Nigerian Peoples Party, said to be primarily supported by Muslims.

The Muslim attacks on Christians had spread across the city shortly after it began in the Ali Kazaure area, resulting in the destruction of some Christian churches. Muslim militants burned the sanctuary of the Church of Christ in Nigeria in the Sarkin Mangu area of Jos, and its pastor has been confirmed killed.

Plateau State Information Minister Nuhu Gagara told Compass on November 28 that the Sarkin Mangu church of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) was destroyed. Names of other destroyed churches had yet to be confirmed. Several mosques also were reportedly razed. With streets calm by Sunday, Gagara gave a preliminary death toll of 200 people, though relief organizations said the figure was at least twice that.

As early as Friday, residents in various parts of Jos told Compass by telephone that more than 100 people had died. At the University of Jos, eight Christian students were said to have died, according to a source who requested anonymity for fear of being attacked by Muslim militants.

Plateau Gov. Jonah David Jang said in a radio and television broadcast December 28 that the crisis was pre-planned by disgruntled elements who had schemed to manipulate religious sentiments to create instability in the state.

There was fear that the rioting could lead to a repeat of the violence that hit Jos on Sept. 7, 2001, which resulted in more than four years of bloodshed, killings of thousands of people and displacing thousands of others.

In 2004 an estimated 700 people died in Plateau State during Christian-Muslim clashes. Located in Nigeria’s central region between the Muslim-majority north and the largely Christian south, the state is home to various Christian ethnic groups co-existing uneasily with Muslim Hausa settlers.

Prayer Points:

* Praise God for protecting Isaac and his family.

* The violence in Jos has calmed down a bit, but the situation remains tense. Please pray for Christians in Nigeria, as the situation is not yet resolved. * The rest of the Open Doors staff and their families are safe, although shaken by the violence over the last couple of days. Praise God for His protection on our colleagues and their families’ lives. * Pray that the police and military will be able to contain the violence. * Pray for all Christians to remain calm and not be tempted to participate in the violence.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world’s most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

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