Nigeria is a country divided. Islam dominates the north, where Boko Haram have terrorised Christians for years, including an attack in 2018 which left 106 people dead. The south is predominantly Christian. Twelve states in northern Nigeria enforce Sharia (Islamic) Law.

In the north, Christians are pressured to not wear a cross or carry a Bible. Some even dress like Muslims to avoid persecution. Qualified Christians are often denied employment and some are asked to give up their faith if they want a job.

Christian homes and churches have been destroyed. Attacks from the Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, and clashes between Muslim Fulani Herdsmen and Christian farmers have left many dead. Nigeria is one of the most violent countries for Christians in the world and accounts for 90% of Christian deaths in the 2019 World Watch List reporting period.

PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA

A girl sleeps peacefully in her school in Chibok, a place where she is able to learn, to laugh with her friends, to feel safe. Then one night, she is roughly woken by a man who points a gun at her. She is forced into a truck, along with many of her friends. It's dark, but she feels the truck move. She doesn't know where she is going, or if she will ever return.

The Chibok girls made the headlines when they were abducted in April 2014, but sadly their story is not an isolated one. Boko Haram, the militant Islamist group who took the Chibok girls, are responsible for thousands of deaths and abductions, mainly of Christians. One woman who was kidnapped but managed to escape said: "Out of fear I have converted to Islam. Will Christ accept me back?"

Christians also face violent attack by Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen. Their attacks are no less devastating - they have killed thousands of Christians and destroyed or targeted hundreds of churches. And yet, several states are planning to give these herdsmen grazing fields out of the land of indigenous Christian communities.In parts of northern Nigeria, where 12 states have adopted Islamic law, Christians have taken to dressing like Muslims to avoid being lynched. Christian girls are in very real danger of being abducted and forced to marry. Even when not being directly attacked, Christians in this region are discriminated against; their communities are often left without basic facilities such as clean water and health clinics, and access to secondary school or higher education is frequently denied to Christians.

There is concern that Christian youths will be tempted to retaliate against their Muslim neighbours, creating a cycle of violence. Yet many Christians are choosing to forgive and to continue to reach out to their communities. Damaris Atsen, whose husband was murdered in anti-Christian riots, says, "I have forgiven and God will help me to love everybody. It is not easy, but it is God that will give us the grace to love."

HOW WE HELP

Open Doors partners with the local church to strengthen and equip persecuted believers in northern Nigeria through the following activities:

• Training to strengthen believers facing persecution
• Helping children to receive a Christian education
• Providing care and discipleship training for new believers
• Servant leadership and theological training for church leaders
• Community development projects
• Legal assistance
• Emergency relief and trauma counselling.