New year brings wave of Fulani attacks and kidnappings in central Nigeria

Thirteen Christians died and three others were badly wounded when Fulani herdsmen suddenly attacked a village in Plateau – after living nearby ‘peacefully for a long time’. About 20 armed herdsmen attacked the mainly Christian village of Kulben in Plateau state late on January 8, shooting indiscriminately and causing villagers to flee into the bush. Please pray for Kulben’s grieving families and those who have been injured. Christian community leader Kudu Tetmut said his people were in shock: they had never had any disputes with the herdsmen and had always lived together in peace. Christians have reportedly fled the village, for fear of further attack. Security police have been deployed to the area. This is just one of several raids that herdsmen have made on mainly Christian villages this month. In the south of neighbouring Kaduna state, at least 35 people have been killed and 58 kidnapped since January 6.  Ask God to bind up the broken-hearted in Plateau and Kaduna, comfort those who have lost loved ones and heal those who are wounded. Pray that they will look to the Lord for their strength (Psalm 105:4).Please pray for the safe return of the many people abducted in Kaduna, this year and earlier. Teenager Leah Sharibu has been held captive since February 2018 because she refused to deny Christ.Pray that the Nigerian Government will scale up its efforts to end the violence and protect vulnerable communities such as Kulben.(Sources: Guardian Nigeria; Morning Star News; Stefanos Foundation) UPDATES Praise God that Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov has been released from prison in Tajikistan! He was detained in April 2017 after a raid on his church, Sunmin Sunbogym Protestant Church in Khujand, Sogd. Pray that Pastor Bakhrom can now resume his ministry in peace. (Source: Release partner) Please continue to pray for our Christian family in Chengdu, China. Last month, Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church was given a nine-year sentence for ‘subversion’ and ‘illegal business activities’. The latter charge, linked to the printing and distribution of Christian books, was also brought against church elder Qin Defu who has been sentenced to four years in jail. Please pray too for Pastor Wang’s wife Jiang Rong and their child who remain under house arrest. (Source: China Aid) Please forward to others who will pray too.