Rescue of Missing Schoolgirls Raises Hope


Some of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

Nigeria's army has rescued a second Chibok student, two days after rescuing 19-year-old Amina Ali Nkeki, the first of the 219 kidnapped girls to be found alive in a forest close to the Cameroon border. "We are glad to state that among those rescued is a girl believed to be one of the Chibok Government Secondary Schoolgirls that were abducted on April 14, 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists," announced Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, the army's Acting Director of Public Relations, shortly after Amina was located.

BBC further reported that Amina, who had a child with her, was found during a routine daily patrol by a pro-government vigilantes group set up to help fight Boko Haram. At the time, it was noted that all the other missing girls were still in the forest, except the six who had died. The vigilante leader explained that when Amina was reunited with her mother "she gave her the biggest hug ever, as if they were going to roll on the ground." He added that Amina told her mother: "I never thought I would ever see you again.... God has made it possible for us to see each other...."

The second Chibok student, Serah Luka, who is believed to be the daughter of a pastor, has been receiving medical attention at a health facility in Borno state since her rescue. Also rescued during the operation were close to 97 other women and children who were being held captive by Boko Haram in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno. Recent military operations by Nigerian forces have led to territorial gains and paved the way for reconstruction efforts. More information on persecution in Nigeria, including online video reports, can be found at our Nigeria Country Report.

We thank God for your faithful prayers over the years on behalf of these brave girls, and for their unwavering faith in His protection during their many months of suffering. Continue to pray for the release of the remaining schoolgirls from captivity and that, as they await deliverance from their present situation, their trust will remain steadfastly in Him. May each of them fully recover from their ordeal so they can experience renewed wholeness and freedom.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

    Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    230,842,743 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

    Leader
    President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

    Government type
    Federal presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Nigeria

    May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.

Nigeria News

  • Christians Slain After Being Forced from Bus
    Three Christian men are kneeling, while executioners holding guns are standing behind them.
    The three men who were killed by Boko Haram militants.
     

    On June 5th, a bus was travelling along the Damaturu-Biu Highway when a group of armed men forced it to stop near the village of Kamuya, which is located on the border between the states of Yobe and Borno. The terrorists, believed to be members of Boko Haram, pulled aside four passengers who were Christians and then allowed the rest of the travellers to leave.

  • Deadly Market Attack
    Bandits in Nigeria are carrying various types of weaponry. All have their faces covered.
    Bandits in Nigeria
    Photo: Voice of America

    As Nigerians were celebrating their national Democracy Day on May 29th, gunmen opened fire on the Maro Junction Market which happens to be located within a predominantly Christian community of Kaduna State. Reports state that as many as 12 people were killed and 20 others injured.

  • Hundreds Rescued from Boko Haram Captivity
    Masked Boko Haram fighters are holding various types of weaponry.
    Boko Haram terrorists have claimed
    the lives of multitudes in Nigeria.
     

    On May 20th, the Nigerian military reported that 350 captives had been recovered from Boko Haram bases in the Sambisa Forest, a well-known enclave for the militant group in eastern Nigeria. Some of the captors were killed during the military operation. All of the rescued former hostages were taken to the Borno state government house where they will be cared for until they can safely return to their homes.