286 Christians Murdered in Benue State, Nigeria

Heavily armed Fulani jihadists shouting “Alahu Akhbar!” murdered 200 Christians as they lay sleeping late Friday night in Yelwata, a farming village in Guma County, Benue state, Nigeria. The Muslim herdsmen set homes ablaze and attacked with machetes those who fled. Hundreds were injured without sufficient medical care, and dozens are still missing.

About 97 percent Catholic and three percent from other Christian denominations, Yelwata (also spelled Yelewata) sheltered thousands fleeing previous Fulani attacks on other Christian villages. Local clergy said that earlier that same evening, police blocked an attack on St. Joseph’s Church, where some 700 displaced people slept, but they were unable to stop the terrorists who set fire to an area where more than 500 displaced people slept.

In the preceding days, at least 86 Christians in Benue state were martyred by Fulani terrorists, including 46 on Sunday, June 1. In some instances, the attacks took place in broad daylight, even in view of military and other security agencies, but no one came to the rescue.

Nigerians have been crying out to President Bola Tinubu to declare a military state of emergency in Benue to stop Fulani genocide of Christians. But so far, nothing has changed.

(Compiled from the following news sources: John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need, UK, June 16; Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux, June 16; and Dyepkazah Shibayan, Associated Press, ABC News, June 14; Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, June 5)

Lord, please have mercy. Move President Tinubu to immediate action. Light a fire under him to protect the innocent citizens of his country and to destroy the many terrorist networks seeking to annihilate Christians, deplete them of their resources and bring them to justice. Comfort those who mourn, heal the body and mind 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.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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