15 August 2023
Twenty-one Christians killed in Plateau State, Nigeria; Number of Christians arrested in Iran rises to 69; Christian aid worker and her daughter released by Haiti kidnappers
- Twenty-one people were killed in two Christian villages in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, in the early hours of 9 August. Large numbers of Fulani Islamist extremists attacked Batin village at around 1.30am, killing 17. The gunmen went on to murder another four people in nearby Rayogot community. Twelve of the dead were internally displaced people who had fled to the area to escape previous extremist violence. Local Christians say they had warned security services that the latest attacks were planned but claim the authorities failed to take action to halt the gunmen. Ask the Lord to comfort the bereaved. Pray for an end to this persistent anti-Christian violence.
Read more: Islamists spilling “rivers of Christian blood” in Africa
- The number of Christians arrested in Iran in June and July has risen to 69. At least 10 are still being detained. Those who have been released say they were forced to sign commitments not to undertake any Christian activities, or ordered to undergo Islamic re-education classes. Almost all of those arrested are converts from Islam. Pray for our Iranian brothers and sisters, especially converts who are forbidden to worship. Ask the Lord to sustain those now forced to refrain from meeting with other Christians or to attend Islamic classes.
- A Christian charity worker and her daughter who were abducted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 27 July have been released. In a statement released on 9 August the charity announced, “It is with a heart of gratitude and immense joy that we at El Roi Haiti confirm the safe release of our staff member and friend, Alix Dorsainvil and her child,” adding, “Today we are praising God for answered prayer!” Join with our brothers and sisters in praising God and giving thanks.
