Nigerian children thank ICC for the toys they provided.
Pix by ICC
The recent jail break carried out by some Muslim extremists in Nigeria - the Boko Haram, has become a source of serious worry for the Nigerian Church leaders and the general Christian public.
In a recent report by the Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, International Christian Concern (ICC) http://www.persecution.org/ Jonathan Racho, he said that church leaders in northern Nigeria are alarmed by the massive escape of Boko Haram members.
“We learned that more than 700 members of an Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, escaped after suspected fellow members of the group raided a prison in Bauchi, northern Nigeria,” he added.
He said that a group of armed men attacked the prison and fought with the prison guards for two hours and that at least four people were reportedly killed during the shootout.
Racho stated: “We are extremely concerned by the escape of Boko Haram members from prison. This is yet another indication of the failure by Nigerian authorities to protect their citizens from the violence by Islamic extremist groups. We urge Nigerian officials to immediately re-arrest the escapees and protect the citizens of the country from future attacks.”
In his own reaction, the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Hayab, he said: “The escape from prison is a clear indication of anarchy. Boko Haram is a threat to Christians in northeastern part of Nigeria where Christians were killed, including pastors, and churches were burned down. More people could be killed if they are not checked.”
According to him, in July 2009, members of Boko Haram carried out attacks against Nigerian police officials leading to the death of more than 700 people adding that members of Boko Haram also killed a dozen Christians, including Pastor Sabo Yakubu, Rev. Sylvester O. Akpan and Rev. GeorgeGeorge Orji.
In another development, the President, ICC, Jeff KingJeff King in launching “Nigeria Rebuild” a project through which it hope to raise support for the victims of the last Muslim extremists attacks in the north said: “We hear their cry and are committed to help these devastated people rebuild their lives. Our efforts have already helped, but so much more is needed.
He further stated: “Our economy may be sluggish, but we have never experienced anything like the price these people have paid for believing in Christ. They need your help, and I’m asking you to be generous on their behalf. If you want to help, put “Nigeria Rebuild” in your check notation, and we’ll do the rest. Thank you in advance for your generosity.”
He said that ICC responded quickly to the need of the victims by supplying 65 Christian families each with 110 lbs. of fertilizer to help restore their crops, they had been given seed already. We also provided clothes, books, toys and toiletries to more than 215 children in the village.
“The Christians are living under constant fear and still grieve over the loss of their loved ones, but they are thankful that they were not completely slaughtered. Some families were. Their corporate cry is this: “May God take up our case and do justice,” he also said.
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