“Please fast and pray” – parents plead for their children in Nigeria

Since the multiple kidnappings of young children in Nigeria in mid-May, parents continue to ask for your prayers. Please stand with them and our brothers and sisters being affected by persistent violence at this time.

Borno and Oyo States were devastated on 15 May by mass kidnappings of young children by extremist militants – almost 100 infants were taken, the youngest only 18 months old. 

A local partner of Open Doors spoke with one of the teachers in Borno State who shared, “We saw men speaking the Fulani language on motorbikes, and we heard gunshots around the school. They surrounded the school. Immediately teachers asked the students to run for safety. Everyone started running – however, the attackers were able to take over 40 students.  

“The majority of the students that were abducted are from the primary school and some children from the daycare [nursery] class. The children got confused and kept running into the hands of the kidnappers. The kidnapped children are between the age of one to seven years. They also picked seven students from the secondary school.” 

According to the teacher, military personnel who were at the school were unable to rescue the children for fear of catching them in the crossfire. 

From the perpetrators of the attack on Borno State there has been no word, nor has any group claimed responsibility for the abductions. However, members of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been known to carry out most of the attacks that have occurred in the area. 

The perpetrators of the attack in Oyo State have been more vocal, demanding that the state implement Sharia (Islamic law) and provide food supplies, arms and money as ransom for the abducted children. 

“They took my child of one year eight months, three of my brother’s children and two from my other brother – ages one year and eight months to five years old,” a parent from Borno State says. “I was on my farm when I heard the gunshots. By the time I got home, they were gone. Some students saw the bandits in military uniforms and thought they were safe. That’s how they were taken. We’ve heard nothing since.  

“Parents are fainting from shock and grief,” he continues. “It’s hard to describe how sad I am feeling right now, we just need your prayers. Please fast and pray for the safe return of our children.” 

A pastor kidnapped 

As well as children being abducted, a pastor from the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ondo state was taken by armed men on Sunday 7 June. His wife and children were able to escape, but the pastor remains in captivity. 

Earlier in the year, two communities in Ekiti and Kwara states were similarly traumatised by attacks and several believers were kidnapped during church services. A ransom has been paid to the authors of the attack in Kwara State, but the captives have not been returned – five of those taken have reportedly died in the hands of their kidnappers. Meanwhile, in Ekiti State, the ransom for those kidnapped has been increased, placing a heavier burden on those who remain in the church community.  

Glimmers of hope 

Despite the darkness that weighs on the hearts of traumatised communities and believers, there are signs of hope.  

According to multiple media sources, at least 360 people have been released from captivity in Borno State, having been kept by their kidnappers since an attack in March. 

Beyond Nigeria’s borders, voices are amplifying their concern for the increasing violence against Christians in the country – including the UN Human Rights office in a press release on 8 June. 

But our brothers and sisters need your support, too. Your prayers and voice are desperately needed for those affected by the attacks of recent months. If you haven’t yet signed the Arise Africa petition, please take a moment to sign and share with friends and family, joining over 160,000 people in the UK who are speaking out against violence and injustice in sub-Saharan Africa. You can help us reach our global target of one million. 

Thank you for standing with the church in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa at this crucial moment.