Nigeria: Christians in Zamfara state warned to close churches or be attacked

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – An unnamed group has contacted Christians in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, telling them to close their churches or risk being subjected to “ferocious attacks,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. As Islamic militants continue to slaughter and terrorize thousands of Nigeria’s Christians, the country has been ranked number one in the world for believers murdered on account of their faith.

Located in northern Nigeria, Zamfara state is governed by Islamic Sharia law, ICC noted. “When a religion takes over the government, as it has in much of Nigeria’s north, it creates a social and judicial hierarchy along religious lines and makes religious minorities, in this case, Christians suffer due to their lack of conformity,” ICC explained in its report.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Zamfara State police, DSP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the threat against the state’s Christians was real. “I can confirm that it’s true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches,” he said.

“Actually, the police informed the Christian leaders about the threat. Accordingly, the CP has invited the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to discuss security measures around the churches,” Shehu added.

The police are understood to have told Christians to be especially alert in churches and other centers of worship. CAN has also instructed believers not to hold services or other Christian activities after 5 pm for the next three months, ICC said.

ICC has issued a call to join them in prayer and in their efforts to “raise awareness on behalf of Nigeria’s suffering Church today.”

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