Nigeria: 190 Christians Martyred

As we remember Christ’s death on the cross for our sins this Good Friday, let’s pray for the families of the more than 190 Christians in Nigeria martyred in recent days for their faith in Him.

On Monday morning this Holy Week, Muslim Fulani herdsmen murdered 54 Christians in Zikke Village, Plateau State, just days after five were slain in surrounding villages, and 60 others in a horrific attack on Christian communities in Bokkos County. More than 1,000 believers were displaced and 353 homes destroyed. Another 28 died in other attacks March and April.

In Benue State, murders and abductions of Christians by the Fulani have continued nearly nonstop since March 28. On April 5, Muslim herdsmen indiscriminately shot sleeping villagers in their homes, killing three, kidnapping dozens and forcing thousands from their homes. On April 3, they killed two Christians and kidnapped 13 in Otukpo. Olena community was under siege four four days at the end of March, as Fulani killed dozens of Christians and abducted countless others. They also killed a chief and abducted two others from his home in Asa March 31, killed five in Okpomoju, murdered a woman in Old NTA March 30, and then a Benue Links driver in Itobi on April 3, kidnapping 14 of his passengers. (April 14, 8, 9, 15, Christian Daily International-Morning Star News)

The millions of nomadic Fulani are divided into hundreds of clans, most of which are Muslim. Along with Boko Haram and IS, they seek to terrorize and eliminate Nigeria’s Christian majority (52%) through murder, kidnapping, rape and destroying homes and churches.

Nigeria ranks #7 among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, and #1 in the number of Christians martyred yearly. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide in 2024, 3,100 (69 percent) were in Nigeria.

Lord, comfort those who mourn, heal the bodies and minds of every survivor of these horrific attacks, and provide for all their needs, especially the children. Speak tenderly to broken spirits. Conquer devastating memories with the healing power of Your love and grace. Be a Shield around every believer in Nigeria, guarding them and their families from harm. Empower them by Your Spirit to speak truth and act in love, joy, peace, forgiveness and faith, with a demonstration of Your power. Perform miracles and wonders in the sight of their persecutors and leave crowds in awe of You. Heal the sick, the lame, the wounded, the blind. Raise the dead to life. When guns or other weapons are aimed at Christians, cause them to misfire and drop to the ground. When fists or feet are lifted to beat or kick a believer, freeze them in place so the persecutor is unable to move and must ask the Christian to pray for them first before they are freed. When evildoers seek to burn down a house or church, coat that place with Your protection, pushing back the flames so it never catches fire. Send shockingly visible angels to surround every believer, church and home, stepping in front to block enemy attacks. Turn every curse spoken against a Christian into a blessing, and bring such disastrous events upon persecutors that they know beyond any doubt You did that, so they will repent in fear of the Lord and turn to You. Change the tide of violence in Nigeria. In this most deadliest place in the world for Christians, we speak, “LIFE, in the name of Jesus!” Protect the innocent. Bring every persecutor to their knees before You, as You did Paul, and show them who You are. Haunt their dreams, visit them throughout the day, topple the lies they believe with Truth, and show Yourself strong on behalf of victims in such miraculous ways that every violent offender will tremble in fear, drop their weapons and repent, surrendering to Your love and salvation. Raise up a generation holy unto You of preachers and missionaries who will take Your Good News into every dark corner of Nigeria, Africa and beyond, penetrating the darkness with Light and changing lives forever with Your love.

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