The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa finds that Christians were the largest group of victims, with over 16,700 deaths.

The school belongs to Bethel Baptist Church in Kaduna. Nigeria led the world in number of kidnapped Christians last year with 990.

Human rights groups are pointing to the country, and Christians are one of the most affected groups. We interview James Akinyele, Secretary General of the Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship.

Islamic extremist groups have kidnapped, killed and executed Christians throughout the country. Many villages have been attacked and churches destroyed.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the abduction through an audio message. Gunmen on motorcycles attacked a state school in North West Nigeria.

Violence keeps escalating despite the pleas of evangelical leaders who denounce lack of effort by the Nigerian government to free church members.

The Christian Association of Nigeria organised a march to end a three-day fast. In January alone, 100 people died due to terrorism and clashes between Muslims and Christians.

Rev. Lawan Andimi had stated in a video that he trusted in God should he lose his life to Islamic terrorists.

The spread of violent Islamic militancy across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, and the rise of Christians targeted by organized crime in Latin America, are some of the trends of the 2020 Open Doors WWL.

A leader of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria pleaded for help on a video released on Sunday. “I have never been discouraged, because all conditions that one finds himself are in the hands of God”.

Despite the violence of Islamist groups, “the coexistence between religious confessions is experiencing tremendous progress” in some parts of the country. The government is restricting internet, and freedom of speech.

The kidnappers have contacted school officials with their demands for ransom.

It is not clear from the video, temporarily posted on YouTube, when the two men were executed. Their identities were confirmed by a Church of Christ in Nations pastor.

Boko Haram has killed an estimated 35,000 civilians. The insurgency that began in Maiduguri, Borno state increasingly struck Christian educational institutions, health facilities and worship sites.

Systemic persecution and its implications.

Analysts have detected ties between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Islamic extremist groups.

The presidential vote has been postponed one week, to February 23. Analysts say the Nigerian political future belongs to the ethnic group of the Fulani Muslims.

After one year in captivity, “the least we can do is to stand with her, to protest and to pray until we see her released”, says Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Up to 50 Christian schools and hospitals have been affected, and the military has kidnapped four churches. “We need peace and the UN intervention”, a Cameroonian Christian says.

The terrorist group has killed a cooperant aid worker and says it will kill three other hostages, including Leah Sharibu.

Leah Nathan Sharibu remains hostage for refusing to renounce Christ.

The Nigerian Information Minister says that 101 of the 110 girls abducted have been freed. Reports say that a Christian girl is still in captivity because she refused to convert to Islam.

The more of Christ we have in the world, the more peace and human flourishing we will have.

Rebeca, a Nigerian Christian, was kidnapped for 2 years, raped and got pregnant with the son of a terrorist. Her faith made her strong to endure the terror.

Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders said 21 aid workers died. Air Force admits the original target was a Boko Haram camp in the region.