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Thousands of people in Adamawa state, Nigeria are fleeing Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.
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Having
recovered two children captured by Boko Haram, a Nigeria-based ministry
providing aid to those fleeing the Islamist terrorist group must
relocate if it is to continue providing relief and development projects
in Christ’s name.
In
the course of seizing the town of Mubi, in Nigeria’s far northeastern
state of Adamawa, at the end of last month, Boko Haram militants
kidnapped two children of a Christian Nigerian worker aiding people who
have fled violence.
“We
had combed the bush and checked in refugee camps, and now the Lord
enabled them to be released to us,” said the director of the ministry,
which is assisted by Christian Aid Mission. “Thank God for the safety of
our two kids. They were in the hands of Boko Haram, who kept these kids
for three days.”
Islamic
extremists with Boko Haram reportedly control more than two dozen towns
and villages in Nigeria’s far northeast in their bid to establish a
caliphate and impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout the country. There
are indications that they are moving toward the state capital, Yola.
The
ministry must temporarily relocate aid and development workers to other
safe areas until security improves, as well as relocate staff members
from its school of missions to another state, he said.
More
than 17,000 Internally Displaced People – including 6,000 children –
have been registered in six camps in Yola, according to the National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The ministry director requested
prayer for efforts to meet needs.
“Pray
for our work right now among the refugees,” he said. “Men and women and
children are under severe trauma from passing through the pain of
losing loved ones, losing homes and property, and having to eat like
beggars. It’s painful.”
“Now
it is time for us to move and to move quickly,” the director said.
“Boko Haram has finally taken over some major cities and are
approaching. By next week, we will have started transferring to Abuja.
So much funding is needed to enable this relocation.”
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