Nigeria: Christians Gather For Prayer, Support Amid Ongoing Slaughter and Abductions

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.”

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

More Worthy News

Drone Bomb Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Plane Raises Fears Of Russian Sabotage
Drone Bomb Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Plane Raises Fears Of Russian Sabotage
Saturday, August 8, 2026

German authorities were investigating Friday whether a suspected drone bomb discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig Airport was part of a foreign sabotage operation, amid growing concerns over Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign in Europe.

North Korean Missile Unit Deploys To Help Russia (Worthy News Focus)
North Korean Missile Unit Deploys To Help Russia (Worthy News Focus)
Saturday, August 8, 2026

Ukraine faced mounting pressure Friday amid reports that a North Korean missile unit had begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.

Numerous Killed In Thailand School Shooting; Teenage Shooter Dies
Numerous Killed In Thailand School Shooting; Teenage Shooter Dies
Saturday, August 8, 2026

Thailand was shaken by gunfire on the outskirts of Bangkok, where a teenage student fatally shot at least five people at a high school shortly after killing his two grandparents in a separate incident, police and government officials said.

Scottish Missionary Found Dead In Suitcase; Afghan Suspect Detained (Worthy News In-Depth)
Scottish Missionary Found Dead In Suitcase; Afghan Suspect Detained (Worthy News In-Depth)
Saturday, August 8, 2026

A family remains in “deep pain” after a suspect was detained in connection with the killing of a Scottish missionary in Athens, Greece, Worthy News learned Friday.

Russia Expands Military Training For Ukrainian Children Amid Mounting War Losses (Worthy News Investigation)
Russia Expands Military Training For Ukrainian Children Amid Mounting War Losses (Worthy News Investigation)
Saturday, August 8, 2026

Russia is forcing children in occupied areas of Ukraine to prepare for war through expanded military training in schools as mounting battlefield losses fuel efforts to replenish its armed forces, rights groups say.

András Baka To Become Hungary’s Next President
András Baka To Become Hungary’s Next President
Saturday, August 8, 2026

András Baka, a former chief justice of Hungary’s Supreme Court, is due to become the country’s next president after the governing Tisza Party agreed on his nomination.

EU Remains Major Buyer Of Russian Fossil Fuels Despite Phase-Out Pledge (Worthy News Investigation)
EU Remains Major Buyer Of Russian Fossil Fuels Despite Phase-Out Pledge (Worthy News Investigation)
Saturday, August 8, 2026

The European Union remained the world’s fourth-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in June despite its pledge to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, according to data reviewed by Worthy News.