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Nigeria: Islamic State Murder Three Christian Youths

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Answering their leaders’ recent call to kill Christians “where you find them,” members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) executed three Christian youths in Nigeria’s Borno state last week, Christian Today (CT) reports.

ISWAP terrorists reportedly ambushed and abducted the three Christian boys from a public transport vehicle on a highway in Borno state on 3 June. Muslim passengers were allowed to leave, CT reports.

According to the International Christian Concern (ICC) organization, ISWAP posted photos of the executions, showing the youths kneeling in front of gunmen with their arms tied behind their backs, CT reports. Another photo showed the Christians shot dead.

Confirming the killings, Rev Ibrahim Abako, secretary of the Yobe State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said in a media statement: “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.”

In a website statement about the critical situation facing Christians in Nigeria, the Open Doors international Christians advocacy organization says: “Violence by Islamic extremist groups such as Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP increased during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari [2015 to 2023], putting Nigeria at the epicenter of targeted violence against the church. The government’s failure to protect Christians and punish perpetrators has only strengthened the militants’ influence.”

Nigeria is ruled by an Islamic government which has failed to protect its Christian citizens from relentless Islamic terrorism: the country ranks six on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.