Muslim extremists kill Christians, destroy churches

GEIDAM, Nigeria — In Nigeria’s increasingly dangerous northeast, Muslim extremists in Geidam in Yobe state helped members of the Islamic terrorist sect Boko Haram destroy five church buildings Nov. 26, while previously, in neighboring Bauchi state, Islamic radicals killed four Christians, including three girls.

Boko Haram members’ weekend rampage in Geidam destroyed all Christian-owned businesses, as area Muslims pointed them out for the sect raiders, according to local Christians.

Five of the eight church buildings in town were ruined and the violence displaced about 700 Christians, sources said. Only two of the eight pastors in the town remained. Pastor Amos Ajeje, 48, vice chairman of the Geidam chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said local Muslims assisted Boko Haram members in carrying out the attacks on Christians.

Pastor Bitrus Mshelbara, pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria at Geidam, confirmed that local Muslims led the Boko Haram members to the church buildings and Christian-owned businesses. In neighboring Bauchi state, 48-year-old Samaila Darabo lost his wife and 12-year-old daughter to a night raid by Muslim extremists Nov. 18. “They killed my wife, Rifkatu, and my daughter, Laraba,” Darabo said. “They also attacked some of my family members with machetes and shot them, too.”