Boko Haram vs Christians: Who Blinks First?



Attacks on Nigerian churches



A battle line seem to have been drawn in Nigeria's religious circle. Whichever way you chose to describe it, the battle between the Christian faithful and the radical Islamic sect is one that tests the faith of every living Nigerian in all 36 states of the nation. It is a battle of faith versus reality. A battle of either physical self-defense or the belief in a spiritual victory.

No doubt, there is an urgent need for independent intelligence gathering and security step-up in the Christendom as churches in the North have remained second major target, aside the continued attacks on security facilities across the country by the radical Islamic extremist group.

The effects of attacks on Christian faithful are imminent reprisal attacks which usually force many to either trust in the unseen God to defend them or fight with physical weapons in self-defense.

Attacks on churches have always been bloody, deadly and horrific - as the casualties involve both adults and children. In some cases, the priests are not spared. One minute, the people  would leap for joy and begin to rejoice heartily. And for several other hours, their joy would diminish, paving the way for long lasting agonies, wailings and mourning over the loss of a dear one who had been blown apart by the bombs of some defiant messengers of death. The suicide bombers, with an aim to destroy as many lives as possible, often ram their bomb-laden vehicles against the church walls, having outwitted security men. Sadly, the agents of death or suicide bombers as they are literally called, are not always spared of their own evil.

Strengthening the government's effort to curb the recurrent weekend attacks, most churches, streets, highways and government establishments in northern Nigeria are now manned by armed-to-the-teeth military and security operatives. For instance, a visit to the Nigerian national Christian center on a Sunday morning would reveal a long queue of worshippers waiting to be cleared by fully-armed security operatives. With water-tight security in full glare, everyone (young or old) is a suspected "suicide bomber", unless he or she has passed the strings of security check.

Long queue of worshipers awaiting security check

Tucked in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, the National Church of Nigeria (previously known as the Nigerian Ecumenical Center and officially known as the National Christian Center) is the primary Christian place of worship in Nigeria and the symbol of unity of Christendom in the country.

The National Church, with a rotating altar placed within it, is an interdenominational church, making every Sunday service a remarkable one with full congregation.

National Church of Nigeria

Nigeria has the largest Christian population, compared to any country with Christians in Africa; with more than 70 million of its citizens belonging to churches of various denominations. Although the northern part of the country has the highest domination of Muslim faithful, violence against non-Muslims has increased since the introduction of Sharia penal law in some of the northern states.

What can be done to stop Boko Haram from terrorizing Nigerian Christians? Where and how did Christians offend the Muslims? How do Christians put an end to this religious war? As much as the Christian ideology and doctrine preach and supports peaceful dialogues, these and many more are the questions that continue to traumatize every Nigerian.

Should the Christians pick up arms and face the reality, what will become of the nation? The doctrine of love and peaceful co-existence is long overdue in the face of weekly killings and bombings of yet another family member. If no truce is met as soon as expected, things might continue to fall apart in Nigeria!

Ariticle by: Chi Josh