Open Doorways has expressed concern about Nigerian Christians dwelling in peril of lethal assaults by Islamist extremists after a graphic video displaying the brutal execution of 4 “infidels” was launched.
The perpetrators behind the execution are believed to be members of Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist jihadist group that has massacred hundreds of individuals in Nigeria and neighboring nations.
The surprising video exhibits the armed terrorist wearing camouflage and talking Hausa as he tells onlookers that one of many folks being executed is his youthful sister.
“She is a part of the infidels we’ll wipe out as we speak,” he stated, earlier than warning that anybody “who goes towards our faith” would share the identical destiny, together with girls and youngsters.
“Wherever there may be an infidel, we’ll go discover them ourselves and execute them,” he stated.
The 4 folks within the clip had been then executed. Open Doorways UK and Eire stated that whereas it was unclear whether or not the victims had been Christians, Nigerian Christians are “notably weak” to assaults by extremists as a result of they’re seen as non-believers.
John Samuel, Open Doorways authorized knowledgeable on sub-Saharan Africa, whose identify has been modified for safety causes, stated: “Boko Haram extremists have made it clear time and time once more that they’re waging a jihad towards folks they name 'infidels' – that anybody who won’t subscribe to their excessive interpretation of Islam.
“So a few of the folks on the prime of that listing are Christians who’re clear targets due to their religion.”
Regardless of the persistent menace, a controversial resettlement program by Nigerian authorities has led to the closure of displaced individuals camps that sheltered individuals who fled their properties within the northeast as a consequence of violence. These folks at the moment are being pushed again residence, the place they’re prone to additional assault, Samuel stated.
“The authorities have supplied incentives corresponding to meals parcels or lump sum funds to the returnees,” he stated.
“Displaced Christians are very reluctant to return as a consequence of ongoing insecurity and unexploded landmines planted of their villages. Some Christians who’ve returned have been attacked by militants and fled once more.”
Open Doorways researchers visited northern Nigeria earlier this 12 months and located that a lot of the displacement is because of violent assaults on Christian communities and the failure of the authorities to cease them.
Nigeria is ranked sixth on the Open Doorways World Watch Listing 2024, an index of the highest 50 nations the place Christians face probably the most excessive persecution for his or her religion.
