Muslims slaughter hundreds of Christians in Nigeria
March 08, 2010
Muslim gangs attacked three villages in central Nigeria and killed up to 400 Christians in pre-dawn attacks on March 7. “The shooting was just meant to bring people from their houses, and then when people came out they started cutting them with machetes,” said one witness. Another added, “We saw mainly those who are helpless, like small children and then the older men, who cannot run, these were the ones that were slaughtered.”
Some 300 Christian churches have been destroyed in the area around Jos during the past four years. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos described his efforts to have friendly relations with Muslims, the effects of the local imposition of Sharia, and the caution with which he catechizes potential Muslim converts, some of whom “come just because they want to infiltrate.”
The nation of 142.5 million is 15% Catholic.
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Further information:
- Violence Erupts in Nigeria's State of Jos (Vatican Radio)
- Nigeria: Radical Islam and the challenge of dialogue (ACN News)
- 400 Killed in Fresh Jos Crisis (Lagos Daily Champion)
- Nigeria president puts forces on alert after Jos deaths (BBC)
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