Nigeria (MNN) – Nigeria is facing an escalation in violence and mass kidnappings, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency and order a major expansion of law enforcement.
A rise in attacks prompted President Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency. Todd Nettleton from The Voice of Martyrs USA says, “The government has said they’re going to recruit 20,000 more police officers and get them trained and get them involved in helping against these kind of attacks.”
Inikorogha Community in Edo State of Nigeria (Photo courtesy of Paul Edesemi via Unsplash)
The announcement comes after a string of attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara states, leaving dozens of civilians killed or abducted.
Nettleton explains, “It’s not all localized to one specific area. It is across the northern and even central part of Nigeria. That’s a concern.”
A few hundred people have been kidnapped in the past two weeks, including children. And the latest attack saw a bride and her bridesmaids abducted from a village.
“If you’re a Christian in northern Nigeria, if you’re a parent, a mom or a dad, and you’re trying to raise Christian children, you have to take a long look at your surroundings,” adds Nettleton.
Another concern is the scale: attackers devote major resources to holding hundreds captive. Motives appear to range from kidnapping for profit to targeting Christians for their faith. Their chaotic tactics hinder a quick response.
As the international community learns more about the toll on Nigerian believers, pressure is growing on the government to protect religious minorities. Nettleton recalls, “There was a protest at the Nigerian embassy in Spain. People were marching and saying, ‘Hey, you as the government of Nigeria, you have to put a stop to this.’”
Photo courtesy of Regarn Hope via Unsplash
The government has secured a few rescues, but many remain in captivity. Many communities live under a constant shadow of threat.
One way Voice of the Martyrs USA is helping Nigerian Christians is by caring for widows after these attacks — supporting them emotionally and spiritually, and providing vocational training so they can support their families.
Nettleton adds, “That is one of our significant ministries in Nigeria, as well as helping the church, equipping and encouraging pastors, helping in the aftermath of some of these attacks”.
Visit The Voice of the Martyrs USA to learn how to pray for Nigeria strategically and learn about their ministry.
Pray for the endurance of Nigerian believers, especially those missing their kidnapped relatives.
Header photo courtesy of Kindel Media via Pexels.
