HIDDEN ATROCITIES

HIDDEN ATROCITIES
The escalating persecution and displacement of Christians in northern and central Nigeria
A visit report by Baroness Cox and Revd David Thomas
Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust November 2018
“They shot Sarah’s husband and children and so she begged them to kill her too, but they refused, saying that they wanted her to cry and bear the pain.” Deaconess Susan Essam, Jos
“My sister was raped and her wrists cut off before she was shot through the heart. They took my brother, his wife and all their six children, tied and slaughtered them like animals.” Margaret, Ngar village
“We heard gunshots. 18 people were killed and their bodies were set alight... They burnt homes. An old man who couldn’t run was killed.” Chundung, Kurra
“They came around 7pm and left just before midnight. More than 200 of them in black cloth – well armed. Yesterday we lost another 19 of our people.” Church Warden at St Timothy Church in Jos
“They were hacking and killing people, making sure that those that were shot were finished off...They wore red to conceal blood splashes on their clothes as they butchered their victims.” Lydia, Ningon village
“I called my brother but there was no reply. The next morning I found out that he, his wife and four others were shot, butchered and burnt.” Helen, Gana-Ropp
“They were going from house to house, looting and taking away anything they found valuable and then setting the houses on fire.” Helen, Ex-Land village
“We are not safe in our homes. I am raising an alarm – if the government will listen. Lord in your mercy.” Archbishop Ben Kwashi, Jos
Summary of meetings
During our visit, we were privileged to meet:
o The Most Revd Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Diocese of Jos
o The Rt Revd Musa M. Tula, the Anglican Bishop of Bauchi
o The Rt Revd Zacchaeus the Anglican Bishop of Kano
o Bala Mohamed Adam, New Hausa Community leader in Rayfield
o The Revd Canon Hassan John
o The Director of Anguldi Camp and a number of Internally Displaced People
o We also had a telephone conversation with the Rt Revd the Anglican Bishop of Bari in Kano State
Contents
This report consists of summaries of concerns raised during these meetings, including:
o Background information (page 1)
o Survivor testimonies (page 3)
o An assessment of the Nigeran Government response (page 9) o Views of the local Muslim community (page 10)
o Conclusion (page 12)
WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO ON PAGE 14https://www.hart-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Nigeria-Visit-Report_Nov-2018.pdf