Nigeria (MNN) – Hundreds of kidnapped Nigerians are finally home. And everyone wants credit for bringing them back.
More than 360 people abducted during a deadly March attack by Boko Haram militants in Borno state have been released after months in captivity.
Nigerian authorities say the military rescued the captives from a militant hideout. However, local leaders insist that private negotiations secured their freedom – not the government.
“It looks like this situation may be the government using it as PR,” says Greg Musselman with The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. “I hope that’s not the truth. But there just seems to be credibility, for example, from the Borno South Youth Alliance – of course, Borno State is where this happened in Nigeria – saying, ‘No, we were the ones that were conversing with those groups that had done this.'”
Rebecca, a Nigerian woman, watched helplessly with her daughter as Boko Haram militants killed her husband and son, and burned her home.
(Photo courtesy VOM USA)
Either way, Musselman says, “These families are now being reunited. We know, of course, that’s not where things end in terms of getting back to normal. There’s just a lot of heartache and trauma and all those things that are involved. But we are grateful for that [release].”
These ongoing attacks by radical Muslim groups highlight a larger problem that plagues Nigeria.
“There’s misinformation that’s saying, ‘Well, both Christians and Muslims are also suffering from the insurgency,’ says Musselman. “Yes, Muslims are suffering because groups like Boko Haram and ISIS as well in the west part of Africa are also targeting anybody that doesn’t go along with their ideology. But Christians are targeted.
“You see groups like the Boko Haram that have clearly stated that part of their goal is to go after the Christians. So they target the churches, the Christian villages, the pastors, and other religious leaders, and really the group’s ideology historically has identified Christians as the primary target.”
The threat has evolved over the years as Boko Haram splintered and other extremist groups gained influence.
“They have become more radicalized, and it’s not just the Boko Haram. There have been split-off groups of the Islamic State West Africa Province. ISIS, of course, [has] networks all around the world. So their resources are greatly increased.”
Nigerian church (photo courtesy of Tosin Superson via Pexels)
Musselman says Christians can rejoice with families welcoming loved ones home while remembering that many others remain in captivity.
Pray for healing from trauma, protection for vulnerable communities, and wisdom for Nigerian leaders. Pray also for Muslim extremists to stop the violence and embrace Christ as Savior.
Learn more about The Voice of the Martyrs Canada’s work at vomcanada.com.
Header photo: Boko Haram militants (Photo courtesy of VOM Canada)
