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

South-South Indigene Confesses To Being Part Of Boko Haram

An indigene of Akwa-Ibom states, Augustine Effiong has confessed to be a member of the dreaded Islamist group [Boko Haram].

The South South 25 year-old young man also confessed to Police that he was part of the team who killed worshipers at Bayero University in Kano just of recently where two Professors including 15 other worshipers.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris who disclosed this in a press statement made available to reporters said that, Mr Effiong had confessed to be one of those behind the attack on Christian worshipers at BUK.

Mr Effiong, though an indigene of Akwa Ibom was born and brought up at Maiduguri before he later converted to Islam. The police said, “he has been transferred to Abuja for discreet investigations”.

The command said Mr Effiong was arrested over an attempt to murder a civilian at Danlasan Village in Warawa Local Government Area of Kano state.

During the preliminary investigation, the suspect, a resident of Bulunkutu Abuja Quarters in Maiduguri confessed to have relocated to the Kano state last April.

“He confessed to have participated in a series of attacks, killing of policemen and military personnel in the state (Kano), including the recent attack and killings in Bayero University Kano (BUK),” the police said.

Attackers with bombs and guns opened fire at church services at BUK last month and killed about 20 people including two professors as worshippers tried to flee.

“I was involved in the attack at BUK,” he told reporters in Hausa.

He further confessed to being part of a “20-man killer squad” charged with targeting the security services around Kano.

Boko Haram has repeatedly targeted the security services in Kano and has claimed attacks that have killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009.

“I killed many people, including five soldiers at checkpoints,” in Kano, Mr Effiong said.


Curled: Dailypost

Boko Haram Bomb Suspect Escapes From Nigeria Police

Although this may sound like a movie scenario cut from a Prison Break series but I can state here categorically that this is an event that happened live in Nigeria. You heard me!!!

A man arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge over the deadly Madalla Christmas Day bombing escaped from police custody on Sunday while he was being conveyed to a location in Abaji area of Abuja, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.

Boko Haram suspect Kabiru Sokoto was arrested at the weekend during a police raid on the lodge, where he sneaked in through a friend who was given accommodation to stay overnight. He was said to be taken along with a Flight Lieutenant of the Nigerian Air Force to the Zone 7 Headquarters of the Police in Abuja.

Sources told Daily Trust yesterday that Kabiru was taken to Abaji on Sunday, where he is said to own a house, to allow police conduct search. But he escaped at about 5.30pm at Abaji.

Police went on a pursuit, firing shot and in the process a stray bullet hit and killed a 28-year-old man named Awwal Inuwa Ashafa, according to residents of the area.

Pandemonium ensued as people run for cover. Ashafa, who had an HND in Building Engineering from Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, was shot in the chest.

A witness said trouble started in the area when policemen from Abuja city brought Kabiru Sokoto in a Toyota Hilux van. A gang of youths flagged down the vehicle as it was heading for the Ona of Abaji’s Palace, creating a chaos during which the suspect escaped.

Read on...the movie has not ended yet, watch out for where Michael Scorfield escapes while gun shots were heard in the background...

The police had earlier taken the suspect to a house he owned at Abaji to conduct search and were on their way to the traditional head’s palace when the youths saw him in handcuffs and then blocked the road, the witness said.

Kabiru seized the opportunity created by the youths and escaped. Meanwhile, the police fired shots in the air to disperse the youths, but one of the bullets hit a young man.

Our reporter, observed soldiers, riot police and men of the FCT Special Anti-Robbery Squad positioned at various junctions in Abaji, while a police armoured vehicle was also seen stationed in the town.

Abaji DPO, Superintendent Mathew Chukwkuma Okafor, was not available for comments. A senior police officer said four persons have been arrested over the incident.

But spokesman for the FCT police command Moshood Jimoh said no suspect escaped custody from either the Abaji divisional police or from any other police unit there.

Although this movie didn't end happily ever after for some people as the Commissioner of Police in charge of CID Zone 7 of the police, Mr Zakari Biu, was suspended, on Tuesday, by the police high command over the escape of the suspect. 

But you can still watch out for the complete series coming to cinema soon!!!