Bomber Targets Christians in Jos, Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) -- Bombers struck again in Jos, Nigeria last Tuesday.

One person was killed and nine others were injured after suspected Islamic extremists attacked a TV viewing center in a Christian area of Jos where a crowd had gathered to watch a soccer game.

Shortly after 10:00 pm local time, an eyewitness told Compass Direct News that extremists drove past the field and threw an explosive device at hundreds of Christians watching the match.  

CDN reports, "Various churches in the Tudun Wada area of Jos commonly use the site as a base for evangelistic campaigns aimed at social venues in the area. Christian and Muslim communities live in close but separate quarters of the Tudun Wada area of Jos, and the attacks have heightened tensions between them. The area comprises eight churches."

It's the second time extremists have attacked a large, public gathering of Christians. The other recent incident involved the Easter Day services where a bomb detonated just a few meters from the gathering, injuring five Christians.

In Nigeria, more than 300 Christians were martyred last year. Since 2009, the extreme Islamic group Boko Haram has destroyed more than 50 churches and killed 10 pastors in Nigeria.

The country is ranked No. 13 on the Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians. According to the World Watch List, Nigeria had at least 300 martyrs in 2011, although the actual number could be doubled or tripled.

Please pray for those who are grieving. Pray that God will give grace to the injured to help them overcome their physical and emotional wounds. Pray for members of extremist groups that the Holy Spirit would bring them to full repentance.

Source: Mission Network News, Compass Direct