GARKIDA, Nigeria — Five of 11 Christians kidnapped Christmas Day in Garkida, Nigeria, reportedly were executed by Islamic terrorists.
The Islamic State’s AMAQ News released a Dec. 29 video showing five armed members of Islamic State West Africa Province behind five kneeling men with bound hands.
Each captive was ordered to state his name; each added, “I am a Christian.” All five were shot and killed.
The attack in Garkida began Christmas Eve and continued into Christmas Day; six Christians were killed and 11 kidnapped. In addition to the murders and abductions, ISWAP burned homes, looted shops and set fire to a hospital.
On Dec. 7, 2020, the State Department added Nigeria to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for engaging in and tolerating egregious violations of religious freedom. The State Department also maintains a list of “Entities of Particular Concern,” which includes several Islamic extremist groups operating in Africa and the Middle East.
Nigeria is No. 9 on Open Doors’ 2021 World Watch List of places where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
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