ICC Note: 

We pray for Christians in Kebbi, Nigeria who are stripped of their liberty and religious rights. They are socially marginalized and unable to carry on with  their daily activities because they are Christians. We hope the Nigerian government will address the overall issue of Islam extremism  that is affecting Nigeria in all aspects from Terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen militia that have continued to kill Christian farmers in masses. Those Christian who may not be facing terrorist groups are still faced with extreme discrimination.  

12/14/2016 Nigeria (World Watch Monitor) – While violent attacks on Christians at the hands of Islamist militants Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen in the northeast and Middle Belt of Nigeria have captured media attention, the persistent social pressures Christians face elsewhere go mostly unnoticed.

Despite common misperceptions that they are a minority across the north of Nigeria, Christians still form the majority in half of the 12 northern states now all under Islamic law (although they are in theory exempt from Sharia provision), while there are high concentrations (25-50%) in the other northern states.

In a remote community in the north-western, Sharia-governed state of Kebbi, Christians face discrimination and persistent pressure to convert to Islam.

Danbango village in the Yauri Local Government Area was traditionally an animist community, but many converted to Christianity following the visit of missionaries in 2012. More recently, visits from Muslim evangelists have seen many convert to Islam. The Christians there say they also faced pressure to do so.One Christian villager said they were promised boreholes, schools and clinics if they converted.

Another said: “When my son became very sick, I took him to hospital, but the doctors said they would treat him only if I gave up my Christian faith. I refused and took him home. Some days later he died.”

[Full Story]