Pastor, Wife, and Church Kidnapped? The alarming crisis of Christian persecution in Nigeria reached a terrifying new height last week. Worshippers who gathered for Sunday service at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Kogi state, were met not with peace, but with a brutal invasion. Gunmen stormed the sanctuary, leading to the shocking abduction of the church’s pastor, known as Orlando, his wife, and multiple congregants, turning a house of prayer into a scene of absolute chaos.
Pastor, Wife, and Church: Worshippers Flee for Their Lives
The attack, detailed by the persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC), occurred shortly after the service began. Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moment the armed men surrounded the small church. As the ruthless attackers entered the sanctuary, congregants were forced to scatter, desperately fleeing into the nearby bushes. The gunmen successfully seized Pastor Orlando, his wife, and several members, adding them to the growing count of Christians targeted simply for their faith.
This devastating event reflects a grim pattern, highlighting the urgent need for security and prayer for Nigeria’s vulnerable Christian communities (CBN News).
Pastor, Wife, and Church: The Alarming Scope of Nigerian Persecution
This incident is not an isolated event; it is a damning reflection of the relentless violence faced by Christians across Nigeria. The statistics are staggering: Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List reported over 4,100 Christians abducted in the previous year—the highest number globally. Data gathered by monitoring groups indicates that since 2014, over 20,000 Christians have been kidnapped, often during attacks on churches and villages (Persecution.org, via CBN News).
Christian leaders emphasize the core issue, stating that this is, without doubt, a matter of persecution, citing over 50,000 Christians killed and 18,000 churches destroyed since 2009. The brazen targeting of places of worship—especially in rural areas of states like Plateau, Kaduna, and Kogi—reveals the cold-blooded strategy of the bandits. Despite repeated government assurances, the number of such horrific incidents continues to rise, leaving countless communities displaced and facing unbearable hardship (CBN News).
The Unshakeable Faith: A Call to Urgent Intercession
As families in Ejiba endure the agony of waiting for news, we are called to stand in defiant faith. These attacks are meant to terrorize and silence, but the faith of the Nigerian church remains unshakeable. We must lift up Pastor Orlando, his wife, the abducted congregants, and their families in urgent intercession. Pray for their safety, their swift release, and for the supernatural peace of God to guard their hearts in the midst of this nightmare.
May we remember the powerful truth found in Scripture:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Tehillim (Psalm) 46:2 (CJB)
This is a critical moment for the global Church to unite. Please join us in prayer for the entire body of Christ in Nigeria.
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