Source: www.persecution.org
Date: June 7, 2024
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Images of members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) executing three Christian men in Borno state, Nigeria, are circulating on social media.
One image, allegedly shared on June 4 by the Islamic State group (ISIS) through its propaganda outlet, Amaq News Agency, shows the Christian men kneeling with their arms tied behind their backs before three masked gunmen. Another image shows the bodies of the believers falling to the ground under a cloud of smoke from the Islamic extremists’ machine guns.
The Islamic extremists reportedly abducted the men from a vehicle traveling along a highway that runs through the northern Nigerian state on June 3. Muslim passengers were allowed to leave. The terrorists reportedly abducted a fourth passenger, but their condition is unknown at this time.
The Rev. Ibrahim Abako, secretary of the Yobe State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, confirmed the deaths in an interview with Leadership Media Group, a Nigerian news outlet.
“On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Yobe State chapter, we condemn in totality the killing of three Christian youth along Damaturu-Biu Road Federal Highway,” the Rev. said.
In January, ISWAP, which formed in 2016 from defectors of Boko Haram, conducted eight attacks against Christian communities in several villages in Nigeria. During the attacks, 12 Christians were killed while other Christians were forced to flee from their homes that ISWAP militants burned down. These attacks are part of ISIS’ call in January for its affiliates to “kill (Christians) where you find them.”
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for peace and comfort for the victims’ loved ones. Pray for protection for vulnerable Christians in this region. Pray for the gunmen to come to know the love of Christ.