Boko Haram Kills Nigeria Christian Volunteer

By BosNewsLife Africa Service

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ABUJA, NIGERIA (BosNewsLife)– Churches in north-eastern Nigeria faced another tense day Friday, May 16, after confirmation that a volunteer supporting persecuted Christians has been killed by Islamic militants.

Fighters of Boko Haram, or ‘Western education is sinful’, are blamed for killing the volunteer of the Voice Of the Martyrs (VOM) in the Gwoza area of Borno state, Christians said.

“His death [in late April] shocked almost all the Christian community,” explained another VOM worker in published remarks.

The militants reportedly also stole 500 copies of the VOM Nigeria newsletter from his car. “Pastors in the area are now praying that the newsletters will minister to the militants,” said VOM USA.

He had been delivering hundreds of newsletters, raising awareness of needy Christians, according to investigators. The man also supported VOM by using his own vehicle to transport victims of terror attacks to hospitals, VOM USA explained.

CRUCIAL CONTACT

“He served as a contact person between VOM staff and others in the community such as widows, injured victims, Christian leaders and local pastors.”

The attack added to concern among Christians in Gwoza, about eight kilometres (5 miles) from the Cameroon border, who have experienced repeated attacks from Boko Haram militants, rights investigators said.

Thousands have reportedly fled the city, and hundreds of homes, churches and businesses have been razed, after Boko Haram made clear it wanted to establish an Islamic state and ordered Christians to leave northern areas of the troubled African nation.

VOM told its supporters that while they “can rejoice that [the volunteer] is now experiencing life to the fullest [with the Lord] may we remember to pray for his family, friends and all those he kindly assisted in the community who are mourning his tragic death.”

PASTORS PRAYERS 

And, “also join the pastors of this area in praying that the stolen newsletters will greatly impact the lives of many militants, serving as a means of drawing them into relationship with the one true God,” VOM said.

It also said it was important to “bring the entire country of Nigeria before Him in prayer, asking that He use His people to extend peace and grace amid the violence.”

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, has come under mounting pressure to improve security for Christians.

Hundreds of school girls kidnapped last month by Boko Haram remain missing, with many reportedly being forced to “convert” to Islam.

(BosNewsLife (2004-2014) is the first truly independent news agency covering persecuted Christians. It has been ‘Breaking the News for Compassionate Professionals’ since May 2004).

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