Islamic militants burned at least three church buildings and a hotel on the evening of March 17, after a judge ordered a Muslim youth detained without bail when he failed to appear on charges of burning another church building.
Two years ago, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu sued the Living Faith Church in Dutse, the capital of the northern Nigerian state of Jigawa, accusing the church of disturbing the neighbourhood with its activities. At that time, it is alleged that Adamu attempted to burn down the church building. When his case came to court on March 17, Adamu refused to appear and the judge ordered his arrest.
That same evening, other young Muslims in the community reacted to the arrest by burning church buildings in the town, including the Redeemed Christian Church, Calvary Church, and Living Faith Church, as well as a hotel, the Inland Guest Palace Hotel. Local Christians sought refuge at the state police headquarters. According to the state's commissioner of police, Alhaji Sale Abubakar the situation is now under control, no lives had been lost and no arrests have yet been made.
Pray that those responsible for these actions will be held accountable. Pray that tensions between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria will not escalate due to this incident. Pray that Christians will respond with the love of Christ.
For more information on the situation facing Christians in Nigeria, click here.
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