Nigeria: Christian students kidnapped and tortured

Gunmen abducted 39 students, most of whom are Christians, from a college in Kaduna state on 11 March. An armed gang raided the college in Kaduna at 9.30 pm, shooting indiscriminately and rounding up 219 people. Of these, 180 were rescued by the army soon afterwards. Several videos have been released showing the 39 abducted students being threatened, beaten, and whipped. In another video, a male student (named Emmanuel) being held at gunpoint pleads with the government to intervene. He added, ‘Many of us here have been injured - badly injured. Most of us here have health issues.’ Meanwhile we can praise God that Pastor Yakuru, kidnapped by Boko Haram on Christmas Eve 2020, was released on 3 March, the day the terrorists said they would execute him. His release was negotiated by the department of state services and a national charity.

Pray: for full recovery of Pastor Yakuru, now in a critical condition in hospital. Pray also for the students’ protection; may they be strong and take heart as they continue to hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24).

More: www.barnabasfund.org/en/news/prayer-focus-update-april-2021/