Children kidnapped, captives executed – another wave of violence in Nigeria

Vulnerable communities in Nigeria have once again been devastated by extremist attacks. Almost one hundred people have been kidnapped, over half of them young children and in a separate incident, seven captives beheaded for attempted escape. Please pray.

In a single day, multiple schools became the latest victims of extremist militant violence in northern Nigeria. As with previous occurrences of such aggression, many were kidnapped or killed and entire communities profoundly traumatised.  

On 15 May, three schools were attacked by armed men in Borno state and around 50 children kidnapped, mostly between the ages of two and five. That same day, militants also invaded two secondary schools in Oyo state. A teacher was killed and between 40 and 45 individuals kidnapped, including a principal and numerous students. When a tactical team of soldiers attempted to intervene, they were reportedly killed by hidden explosives.  

The schools are located in predominantly Christian communities, but it is not yet clear how many of those kidnapped or killed come from Christian homes. 

Captives killed 

Alongside the traumatic events of 15 May come reports of prisoners in extremist camps being executed for attempting to escape their captors. 

In the mountains of Borno state lies one camp populated by a faction of Boko Haram militants known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS). The camp currently holds over 400 captives, according to Sahara reporters. On 12 May, when seven prisoners tried to flee, they were reportedly beheaded in front of the other captives to dissuade them from attempting the same.  

A community leader from Gwoza has said that all the victims were Christian. 

Repeated trauma 

Christian communities in Nigeria have suffered under seemingly endless waves of violence and kidnapping since the end of last year. These events embed fear in vulnerable villages and limit how Christians meet together. 

“These attacks not only disrupt church activities, but the entire lives of Christians who live in fear. They can’t go to church; they can’t send their children to school. Life comes to a halt,” says Abiodun Musbau*, a senior church leader in northern Nigeria. With such pressures on daily life come financial burdens too – many families spend all they have to pay off ransoms for their loved ones. 

Please continue to pray for our brothers, sisters and all those affected by the events of last week, especially for those taken captive – in confidence that, despite such tragedy, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17) 

*Name changed for security reasons