“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
Ps. 145:18-19
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Pakistan – Three Christian nurses fear for lives after accusation of “blasphemy”
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Myanmar – Two killed and thousands forced to flee as army bombs Kachin villages
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Saudi Arabia – Christian convert acquitted of theft, faces further charges
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Eritrea – Fourteen Christians freed after four years in prison
Nigeria – Last of 39 students kidnapped from Kaduna college freed; pray for abducted university students
Gunmen in Nigeria have freed the remaining 29 students, mostly Christians, kidnapped from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Kaduna State, after almost two months in captivity.
The newly released students looked weak and their clothes were torn and dirty when they arrived at the police headquarters in Kaduna city on 5 May. One was taken to hospital and another female student had to be carried into the building.
Ten of the 39 students kidnapped from the college on 11 March were released previously in groups of five.
Elsewhere in Kaduna State, two Christian women were among five students murdered by kidnappers following their abduction from Greenfield University on 20 April.
The bodies of Precious Nwakacha and Dorathy Yohanna were discovered on 22 April alongside the remains of fellow student Sadiq Yusuf Sanga, a Muslim, in a village close to the university. The bodies of two other abducted students were found on 26 April.
A Barnabas contact said the majority of the university students kidnapped are Christian.
In another violent incident in Kaduna State, a Christian called Zechariah was killed and four other worshippers abducted when armed men attacked a Sunday morning service at Haske Baptist Church, Manini Tasha village on 25 April.
The Christian Association of Nigeria called upon the Nigerian government to do more to remedy the country’s worsening security situation. “This is happening in a nation that her constitution allows freedom of religion yet this freedom is not guaranteed,” it added.
Kaduna State lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. At least 249 Christians have been killed in Islamic attacks in the Middle Belt since the beginning of July 2020. In Nigeria’s northern Yobe State at least two Christians were sought out and killed by jihadists who took control of a town on 23 April.
Around 2,000 residents of Geidam fled their homes after members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) invaded, looting and burning stores.
“Everybody is running away because the insurgents have started killing people who are Christians and those with Western education,” said a resident.
“So far they have killed two Christians and two Muslim school teachers. They went to their homes and slaughtered them,” said another local.
The jihadists dropped ISWAP leaflets around the town, calling for the establishment of an Islamic state. “We are fighting unbelievers; Christians and any other person or group going against the teaching of Islam even if they are Muslims,” the leaflets stated.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has warned of a “Christian genocide” if the government of Nigeria cannot protect Christians from Islamic terrorism.
Praise the Almighty, whose purposes cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2), for answering our prayers for the release of the Nigerian forestry students. Ask that they recover physically, emotionally and spiritually from their ordeal. Pray that the Greenfield students hold fast in a spirit of power and love (2 Timothy 1:7) until, if it is His will, they too are freed. Intercede for the relatives of martyrs Precious, Dorathy and Zechariah and our brothers murdered in Geidam, and pray that they will be comforted knowing they will be together again with the Lord for ever
(1 Thessalonians 4:17). Remember all our Church family in Nigeria who live with the daily threat of anti-Christian violence, and pray for an end to the escalating attacks.
Pakistan – Three Christian nurses fear for lives after accusation of “blasphemy”
Three Pakistani Christian nurses fear for their lives after a “blasphemy” accusation against them provoked anger among their Muslim colleagues.
Nurse Sakina was accused after sharing on social media a post that was critical of the Pakistani government, and the two other nurses, Jessica and Tressa, “liked” the same post.
Although there was no blasphemous content in the video post that Sakina shared, a group of Muslim nurses occupied the Christian chapel at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health in Lahore in protest on 27 April and called for it to be turned into a mosque.
The nurses began reciting naat (poems in praise of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) in front of a wooden cross. For many Muslims, once a place has been used for Islamic worship, it is considered to “belong” to Islam for ever. Later hundreds of staff joined a demonstration, and the three Christian nurses fled in fear of their lives. They have taken extended leave from their jobs, concerned that the threat against them will continue.
Christian and Muslim religious leaders said the dispute has been settled and no police complaints will be filed. Christian health workers will continue to use the chapel for weekly worship as before.
It is the third reported incident of “blasphemy” against Pakistani Christian nurses this year. In January Karachi nurse Tabitha was forced to go into hiding after she was charged with “blasphemy” under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death penalty. In April two Christian nurses, Maryam and Newish, were rescued by police from an angry mob after being accused by hospital staff in Faisalabad of “blasphemy”. The women were subsequently detained in prison charged with “blasphemy” under Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
Lift up Sakina, Jessica and Tressa and pray that they will hold fast to the everlasting Rock (Isaiah 26:4) as they live in hiding. Give thanks for the wisdom of both Muslim and Christian leaders who acknowledged there was no “blasphemous” intent on the part of the nurses. Pray that our sisters, together with Tabitha, will soon be free of the fear of attack by zealous Muslims who might seek to kill them, sincerely believing that this would be pleasing to Allah. Pray that Maryam and Newish, and all Christians detained in prison awaiting trial for “blasphemy”, will be given the strength and grace to endure, and will soon experience the joy of their just release (Proverbs 21:15). Ask that no other nurse is forced to go through the ordeal of a “blasphemy” accusation.
Myanmar – Two killed and thousands forced to flee as army bombs Kachin villages
At least two people have been killed, ten injured, and 5,000 forced to flee due to military airstrikes on villages in Myanmar’s Kachin State, where an estimated 95% of the population are Christians.
“The military has been bombing our villages for four days. Usually they carry out three or four airstrikes a day,” said a local man. “There is shooting all day and night. No one dares to stay.”
Up to nine villages in the area around Momauk Township have been attacked, with residents reporting that large numbers of houses have been destroyed. Many sought shelter in church buildings. “Everything is gone,” said one of the displaced.
The attacks come amidst ongoing tension in the region and across Buddhist-majority Myanmar since the army seized power in a military coup on 1 February.
Beseech the Lord to protect our brothers and sisters and bring peace to Myanmar. Ask that the God of all comfort will be with the families of those who have been killed or wounded so they can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Pray for the courage and perseverance of the faithful in Kachin, knowing that God will meet all their needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Saudi Arabia – Christian convert acquitted of theft, faces further charges
A Christian convert from Islam in Saudi Arabia has been acquitted of theft because there was no evidence presented against him.
The Christian, named only as “A”, had been accused of theft by his sister’s husband. “A” had reportedly aided his sister, also a Christian convert from Islam, and her children to escape from Saudi Arabia.
Lawyers representing his brother-inlaw were unable to bring any evidence, leading the judge to acquit “A” and dismiss the case.
“A” faces two further court cases, for helping his sister to flee against the wishes of her family, and – in a separate incident – allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.
The latter charge arose from a conversation in a restaurant in 2020, in which “A” allegedly discussed his own conversion to Christianity.
The brother-in-law of “A” has threatened violence against the wife and son of “A”, who may be vulnerable to attack should he be imprisoned.
“A” has already spent time in prison and been flogged for his faith in Christ and for helping his sister leave the country.
Praise the Lord for being a shield of protection for our faithful brother in answer to our prayers (Psalm 91:4). Ask that “A” will continue to find refuge under His heavenly wings during the court procedures that lie ahead. Give thanks for the courage of the judge in quashing a case empty of evidence, and the encouragement this brings to other Christians. Pray that the authorities, seeing that God is with “A” and will never leave or forsake him, will have their eyes opened to the love and power of His Name. Ask for the Lord’s continued protection of his family.
Eritrea – Fourteen Christians freed after four years in prison
Fourteen Christians have been released by the authorities in Eritrea after four years of incarceration in Dahlak Island Prison on the Red Sea.
The men are believed to be the last to be freed from a group of 66 Christians detained at the same time. The authorities claimed one of the original group, called Fitsum, died two years ago from illness but the cause of death has not been verified.
The reason for the latest releases is not known; however, an Eritrean church leader told Barnabas that it is thought the Christian men will be forced to join the army. Forced conscription into the Eritrean armed forces is greatly feared, not least because the compulsory military service can last for many years, even decades.
The men’s release came shortly after authorities freed on 11 April all but one of 23 Christians, mostly women, arrested at a prayer meeting in the capital Asmara towards the end of March. The Christian denied release still remains in prison.
It is thought 129 Christians are being detained in Eritrea’s jails, often enduring inhumane and brutal conditions; however, only the Lord knows the exact figure.
Praise the Lord who hears the prayers of His faithful servants that the authorities have released our brothers and sisters. Pray that the family of Fitsum are comforted, knowing he is at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Ask that our brothers may be given strength and grace to endure conscription and pray that by their example, others will be encouraged to follow God’s Word. Pray for all religious prisoners in Eritrea and ask that they persevere in their trial, exulting in the love of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5: 1-5).
