Kidnapped Christian Might Be Killed In Nigeria; Prayers Urged
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News
ABUJA (Worthy News) – A Nigerian Christian farmer and evangelist fears Muslim kidnappers have killed his Christian neighbor after he was abducted in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, late Friday.
Paul Jongas told Worthy News on Wednesday that Luka Gabriel, a married father of three, remained missing after “hunters” searched for him overnight in the forests. “The hunters did manage to rescue two women who were also abducted, but Gabriel could not be found. Please pray for him and his family.”
The kidnappers demanded thousands of dollars in local currency that his family wasn’t able to provide, Jongas said. “Gabriel’s abductors called his wife and demanded a ransom of ten million Nigerian naira ($ 6,471) or he would be killed,” Jongas added. “You can imagine his wife and children’s trouble now.”
He said the ransom is much more than Gabriel earned as a farmer and manual worker.
Abductions by Islamic groups were more common outside the capital but recently reached Abuja, worrying Christians. “Gabriel was abducted outside the gate of the apartment complex. I heard gunshots. Then in the morning, I learned he was kidnapped,” Jongas added.
“Police are not protecting us, so we have to hire so-called hunters who, for about $43 (in local currency), will search and try to rescue the missing. These hunters are more powerful and effective than the corrupt police,” Jongas added. “Our corrupted police won’t go anywhere.”
Hr recalled that three years ago, when “they kidnapped a Deeper Life church pastor, a hunter rescued him.”
STILL PRAYING
Despite significant setbacks, “We all pray and hope he [Gabriel] will be freed [alive] at last. I wish I could help them with food, but I also struggle to plant [on my farmland].”
Christian farmers like Jongas and the abducted neighbor have often been targeted by armed Islamic Fulani herdsmen and other radical groups seeking to take over land and establish Sharia, or Islamic, law.
Jongas, 54, explained to Worthy News that he is preparing to flee with his wife and three children to avoid being kidnapped. “We had the same nightmares.”
He suggested that Islamists are following him and waiting for the right moment to kidnap me.
“They keep a close eye on whoever they want to abduct. They monitor your movement before taking action. They are keeping close eyes on me, I know.”
Nigeria currently ranks 7th on the annual World Watch List of 50 nations where advocacy group Open Doors says it is most challenging to be a Christian.
Thousands of Christians are killed and kidnapped in Nigeria annually. “The government’s failure to protect Christians and punish perpetrators has only strengthened the militants’ influence,” advocacy group Open Doors warned.
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