NIGERIA — Following the death of her husband in an attack by militant Fulani herdsmen in April – during which most of the family’s belongings were burnt – Abigail* not only faced the grief of losing a loved one but the anguish of not knowing if there was enough food the next day to feed her and her one-year-old daughter.

Abigail and her daughter were forced to flee to a makeshift displacement camp.

In Northern and Central Nigeria, attacks on Christians by militant groups are commonplace. Covid-19 has brought further challenges: incomes have dried up and Christians are often last in line for government aid. But thanks to support from Open Doors, Abigail has now received vital aid for her family and has returned home.

She is one of 9,000 Christians in Nigeria Open Doors is looking to help survive the next few months.

Abigail

“We were at our farm working together. Then we heard a gunshot. It was a gang of Fulani herdsmen. While trying to run away we saw that they were all around. There was no escape.”

Abigail’s husband was killed in the attack. Most of her possessions were destroyed. Abigail and her daughter were forced to flee to a makeshift displacement camp.

“We don’t have sufficient food here in the camp. Whatever we get we have to share with each other. The restrictions because of Covid-19 really make our lives more difficult. We are just suffering here.”

In Northern and Central Nigeria, attacks on Christians by militant groups are commonplace. Covid-19 has brought further challenges: incomes have dried up and Christians are often last in line for government aid. But thanks to support, Abigail has now received vital aid for her family and has returned home.

She is one of 9,000 Christians in Nigeria Open Doors is looking to help survive the next few months.

“I planned rice yesterday and I kept wondering who would assist me with fertilizer to use on the farm. Then God used these people to provide for me. They also gave me one bag of rice, maize and beans. It’s what I am using to cook right now. We had no food before now. I am really happy. I really am because of the food they gave us today. I am grateful to God and the people He used. May God bless them.”

Read more news on Nigeria, Christian Persecution and the COVID 19 Pandemic.

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About Open Doors UK

Open Doors is a non-denominational mission that supports persecuted Christians in over 70 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed. In their work they provide vital support, training and resources to those facing persecution or discrimination.

Resources that they provide include distributing Bibles and literature, running leadership training, assisting with socio-economic development and intercessory prayer. They also help victims of violence and disaster, including widows and orphans, with practical support such as relief aid, livelihood support and community development projects.

Their vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians. They pray for a world where there is no persecution.