Story number 2 for 12 Mar 2002

(Nigeria)–Next, Nigerian church leaders refuse to dismiss recent sectarian violence as acts of tribal conflict. Voice of the Martyrs reports that the persecution in northern Nigeria resembles that of other Muslim nations. They say the environment is one of persecution and discrimination, where the Christian population is pressured to either convert, submit to the discrimination, or leave. Church leaders are asking prayer for peace, wisdom for their president, unity in the church and a more effective witness among the Muslim populations of northern Nigeria.