Nigeria Towns Empty as Christians Flee Violence

The terrorist group Boko Haram is continuing its targeted attacks against Christians in Northeastern Nigeria.

On Friday, the group launched an attack in a predominantly Christian village in the state of Adamawa, killing one pastor.

Madagali council chairman Ularamu said the Islamic militants also attempted to torch the village before being driven away.

Just a week ago, the group raided a nearby Wada Chakawa village, killing at least 45 people at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church.

The attackers exploded homemade bombs, shot at parishioners, and even slit some of their throats.

"My brother was slaughtered like ram," Moses Yohanna, whose elder brother died in the attack, said. "Our lives are threatened and put in danger (and there is) no security."

"We saw hell. The attackers were merciless," Rahilla Ibrahim, whose husband and child were killed, recalled.

On Friday, government officials carried bags of food and emergency supplies to Wada Chakawa though many villages have been abandoned, with thousands of Christians fleeing attacks by suspected Islamic militants.
 
"So far, no fewer than 3,000 people ... have been confirmed to have fled to Adamawa due to the fear of terrorists' attacks," state commissioner for border integration, Hamza Bello, said.
 
Rev. Raymond Danboyi, a spokesman for the Catholic diocesee of Yola, warned that even those who have fled are in desperate need of help.

"We are very confused and depressed because there's not much you can do ... The church cannot mobilize and provide security. The resources aren't there," Rev. Jerome Odineze said. "Sometimes you can't have a church service at all. Worship is out of the question in some places."
 
An extremist Islamic uprising seeking to impose Sharia law in the Northeastern part of the country has caused the increased violence, resulting in thousands of Christians fleeing and turning some villages into ghost towns.