EGN NEWS DESK
Open Doors has expressed concern about Nigerian Christians dwelling liable to lethal assaults by Islamist extremists after a graphic video was launched exhibiting the brutal execution of 4 “infidels”.
The perpetrators behind the execution are believed to belong to Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist jihadist organisation that has slaughtered hundreds of individuals throughout Nigeria and neighbouring international locations.
The surprising video reveals an armed terrorist wearing fatigues and talking in Hausa as he tells onlookers that one of many folks being executed is his youthful sister.
“She’s a part of the infidels we’ll annihilate right this moment,” he stated, earlier than warning that anybody “who goes towards our faith” will share the identical destiny, together with ladies and kids.
“Wherever there’s an infidel, we’ll go and discover them out by ourselves and execute them,” he stated.
Four folks within the clip have been then executed. Open Doors UK and Ireland stated that whereas it was unclear whether or not the victims have been Christians, Nigerian Christians are “particularly susceptible” to assaults by extremists as a result of they’re considered as infidels.
John Samuel, Open Doors’ authorized skilled for sub-Saharan Africa whose identify has been modified for safety causes, stated: “Boko Haram extremists have clearly stated time and time once more that they’re waging a jihad towards folks they name ‘infidels’ – that’s anybody who doesn’t signal as much as their excessive interpretation of Islam.
“Some of the folks on the prime of this record, then, are Christians who’re clear targets due to their religion.”
Despite the continuing risk, a controversial resettlement programme by the Nigerian authorities has led to the closure of displacement camps that have been sheltering individuals who fled their properties within the north-east as a result of violence. These folks at the moment are being pushed again dwelling the place they danger being attacked once more, Samuel stated.
“The authorities have supplied incentives to returnees, comparable to meals parcels or one-off funds,” he stated.
“Displaced Christians are very reluctant to return due to ongoing insecurity and unexploded mines planted of their villages. Some Christians who did return have been attacked by militants and fled once more.”
Open Doors researchers visited northern Nigeria earlier this yr and located that a lot of the displacement is being pushed by violent assaults on Christian communities and the failure of the authorities to cease them.
Nigeria is ranked sixth on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024, an index of the highest 50 international locations the place Christians face essentially the most excessive persecution for his or her religion.
