Hundreds flee homes after extremist attacks in Nigeria

Boko Haram has attacked many churches
and other Christian sites this year.

Hundreds of residents in the north-east Nigerian city of Potiskum are reported to have fled their homes after at least 31 people died in a series of explosions and shootings, reports our sister mission, Release International.

Suspected Boko Haram extremists launched a fresh wave of attacks on the commercial capital of Yobe state between Thursday and Saturday. Among the extremists' targets was a church which was burned to the ground. Several other buildings were also destroyed.

The violence brought a robust response from the military. Troops patrolled the streets and told residents to stay at home. Checkpoints were mounted across the city, which has suffered almost daily attacks for weeks. As soon as the curfew was lifted on Sunday, the exodus began.

Sources say most churches in Potiskum did not hold services last weekend.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Borno state, gunmen attacked the Church of Brethren in Nigeria in Atagara village in the Gwoza area on Friday, shooting dead two people and injuring two others. They also set light to the church building.

Please pray.

• Pray for an end to extremist violence in north and central Nigeria which has claimed hundreds of lives this year alone. 
• Pray for wisdom for military and political leaders in tackling this crisis.
• Ask God to bless and sustain His church in this region. 
• Thank God that He is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).