Islamist militants executed five Christian men in Nigeria, according to reports.
The five, whose deaths were claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province – a group which splintered off from Boko Haram in 2016, were reportedly among 11 people kidnapped on Christmas Day from thir homes in the north-eastern town of Garkida.
In a 49 second video released by the Islamic State, the five men reportedly gave their names and stated they were a Christian before they were shot from behind. Morning Star News reported their names as Uka Joseph, Sunday, Wilson, Joshua Maidugu and Garba Yusuf.
One of the militants spoke on the video saying the executions were a “warning to Christians in all parts of the world and those in Nigeria”.
The kidnappings took place when ISWAP militants attacked the town of Garkida in Adamawa state on Christmas Eve and into the early hours of Christmas Day. Reports said the militants burned churches, homes and a hospital and looted shops and residences.
One resident, Joel Bahago, sent a text to Morning Star News stating that the town was “under a massive attack”. “Please pray for us, as this isn’t how we planned for Christmas, Lord.”
Paul Robinson, CEO of UK-based persecuted church advocacy and support organisation Release International, said the latest “deplorable” attack “strengthens Release International’s growing concern for Nigeria”.
‘Boko Haram and ISWAP have both pledged to kill Christians. And heavily armed Fulani militants are driving Christian villagers from the north, in what appears to be an undeclared jihad,” he said in a statement. “Release International’s partners warn of a genocide in the making.”
The headline on this story was changed. The link to and location of Release International has been corrected.
