Pastor Murdered on Way to Church Conference - International Christian Concern

Source: Persecution

5/3/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) -- Armed "bandits" shot and killed Reverend Manasseh Ibrahim on Tuesday, April 23, in Kaduna state as he traveled to a church conference.

The reverend served under the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Kaduna Central District Church. Violence in Kaduna state, often directed toward Christians, has left thousands of believers in a state of fear.

"Christians who are direct victims of banditry and insurgency in Kaduna state are fed up with the inability of the Nigerian government to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings of innocent Christians," said Yahaya Kinge, chairman of the local Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Islamic Fulani militants have caused countless atrocities throughout northern Nigeria in the last decade, causing the deaths and kidnappings of thousands.

Between the fall of 2022 and 2023, 4,118 Christians in Nigeria died for their faith, and 3,300 were kidnapped, according to Open Doors' World Watch List. Despite the regular occurrence of violence, witnesses often describe a visible lack of response from government entities.

Witnesses interviewed by International Christian Concern (ICC) staff describe police watching nearby as militants and sometimes members of the community attack places of worship. They also share that different members of the community riot and cause enough damage to prevent trials, keeping Christians accused of crimes in jail.