by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – As Islamic jihadists continue a relentless campaign of murder, abductions, and displacement against Christians in northern Nigeria, communities of local believers are joining together to pray and to support one another, including with finances to pay extortionate ransoms for kidnapped loved ones, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
“Islamic Fulani extremists and other groups are increasingly abducting Christians and demanding significant ransoms, putting immense pressure on families and local communities,” ICC said in its report. “In response, Christians are raising awareness of the abductions in Kaduna and Niger states and mobilizing assistance for those affected,” ICC said.
Citing an example that illustrates the desperate situation, ICC reports that the family of Emmanuel Nyasom, Jr., 54, is seeking help after kidnappers increased their ransom demand to 90 million Naira (about $53,000). A father of eight children, Nyasom was kidnapped from his farm near Kontagora in Niger state on October 31.
Nigeria ranks number one in the world for the number of Christians murdered and/or kidnapped on account of their faith. More Christians are murdered in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization reports.
In a current website statement about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Open Doors reports: “Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the Muslim-majority north, continue to live under immense pressure and to be terrorized with devastating impunity by Islamic militants and armed ‘bandits.’The attacks are often brutal in nature and can involve destruction of properties, abductions for ransom, sexual violence and death.”
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