On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants attacked the village of Ariko, Nigeria, while Christians were gathering for worship. More than 35 churchgoers were abducted, including Victoria and her children. Despite being severely weakened, Victoria managed to escape on August 1st. Tragically, two of her children died. According to reports, the other Christians remain in captivity.
It seemed like a peaceful Easter Sunday as they gathered to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. But nothing could have been further from the truth when Fulani militants violently disrupted the service. They abducted a large number of churchgoers. Victoria was pregnant at the time. She was taken along with her three children. During her captivity, she gave birth in the camp without medical assistance. Three weeks later, her baby died. Victoria was severely weakened.
On August 1, after nearly 120 days in captivity, Victoria saw an opportunity to escape with her children, Sonai (12), Patience (6), and Christy (4). For two days, they walked barefoot through the wilderness without food or water. Seriously ill, Christy could no longer walk and was carried alternately by her mother and her twelve-year-old brother. The four-year-old girl died along the way.
Eventually, Victoria and her two surviving children reached a village, where they were taken in and cared for. They are now receiving medical and pastoral care. Several others have also managed to escape from the camp. Local partners are deeply concerned: “What they have endured is horrific. They were given barely enough food to survive. The men are chained together and are not free to move around. Please pray for the abducted Christians who remain in captivity. This suffering must come to an end.”
Nigeria ranks 7th on the World Watch List.
Join us in prayer
- Pray for healing and strength for Victoria, Sonai, and Patience. They are severely weakened.
- Pray for comfort as they grieve the painful loss of the two children who died.
- Pray for the release of the Christians who remain captive in the Fulani militants’ camp.
