"Boko Haram insurgents have so far seized control of over 20,000 square kilometers of territory in three North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, Daily trust reports... The land mass under the control of the insurgents is about the size of Wales in the United Kingdom or the state of Maryland in the United States, and bigger than Northern Ireland. It spanned across ten local government areas and home to more than two million people.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has since declared the annexed territory part of an Islamic caliphate with capital in Gwoza. But Shekau is thought to be holed up in his Sambisa Forest sanctuary, from where he administers his own brand of Islamic law across the areas his fighters hold sway. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the occupied territory and are now sheltering in displaced people's camps in safer areas in the three states. Tens of thousands more have crossed the borders into neighboring Niger Republic and Cameroon. However a great deal of people, who remained behind, including women and children, are now trapped. Many among them are being killed in a systematic manner. First the insurgents seek out and kill community leaders and government officials. Next, they go after religious leaders and youth who don't share their world view.
"Life in Boko Haram land is brutish. They kill, harass and brutalise people for unjustifiable reason. They take away young women and girls; and they treat businesses left behind by fleeing residents as war booty," said a man who fled Bama when the militants struck in september. President Goodluck Jonathan revealed during his recent trip to New York for the UN General Assembly session that over 13,000 people have so far been killed since the Boko Haram violence erupted in 2009. Military authorities wouldn't comment on the number of troops so far killed trying to put down the uprising.
The conflict has taken its toll on all spheres of life in the region. Billions of naira in businesses have been ruined in the North East, especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Students have not been to school in many parts of the three states where insurgency is strong. In Borno state the government announced lately that schools will reopen this month after seven months of forced closure. The insurgents began to annex territory on the onset of the rainy season, and today the farmlands lay waste as residents fled for dear life from the affected areas. Commenting on the states of the military campaign against insurgency, two retired military officers told Daily Trust that both the government and the military high command must show greater commitment than they are doing at the moment. "The President must be sincere in his approach to the war. The country is losing territory; soldiers are being killed and losing equipment to insurgents. That does not speak well of the government and the country," said a retired colonel who preferred not to be named."
Daily Trust, Monday, 03 November 2014 05:01
Written by Abdullahi Idris
Please pray with our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ that the government and military will be able to find and overcome the Boko Haram terrorists so that people in the occupied areas can go back to their homes and normal lives. Pray also for the release of all who are being held and abused by the Boko Haram fighters.
Pope calls on EU leaders to protect migrants from traffickers
Pope Francis has told European leaders to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives to get to the continent. Addressing the European Parliament for the first time, the pontiff referred to an estimated 3,200 migrants who have drowned this year trying to get to Europe. ‘There needs to be a united response to the question of migration. We cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a vast cemetery,’ he said. ‘The boats landing daily on the shores of Europe are filled with men and women who need acceptance and assistance,’ he added, calling on European powers to work together to protect immigrants from human traffickers. The Pope’s address comes just days after 600 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa.
Ukraine conflict: Child soldiers join the fight
Child soldiers appear to be playing a part on both sides of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. A boy as young as 15 has been shown training pro-Russian separatist recruits in how to handle weapons, while Ukrainian media have told the story of a 17-year-old volunteer sapper. It is a development that particularly worries the UN children's agency, Unicef, which is investigating ‘anecdotal evidence that children have been recruited and may be directly involved in the fighting’. The fighting, which erupted in April, has claimed more than 4,300 lives and left some 10,000 people wounded. ‘Armed groups should not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities people under the age of 18 years,’ says the agency's Ukraine representative Giovanna Barberis.
Pope calls on EU leaders to protect migrants from traffickers
Pope Francis has told European leaders to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives to get to the continent. Addressing the European Parliament for the first time, the pontiff referred to an estimated 3,200 migrants who have drowned this year trying to get to Europe. ‘There needs to be a united response to the question of migration. We cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a vast cemetery,’ he said. ‘The boats landing daily on the shores of Europe are filled with men and women who need acceptance and assistance,’ he added, calling on European powers to work together to protect immigrants from human traffickers. The Pope’s address comes just days after 600 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa.
Ukraine conflict: Child soldiers join the fight
Child soldiers appear to be playing a part on both sides of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. A boy as young as 15 has been shown training pro-Russian separatist recruits in how to handle weapons, while Ukrainian media have told the story of a 17-year-old volunteer sapper. It is a development that particularly worries the UN children's agency, Unicef, which is investigating ‘anecdotal evidence that children have been recruited and may be directly involved in the fighting’. The fighting, which erupted in April, has claimed more than 4,300 lives and left some 10,000 people wounded. ‘Armed groups should not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities people under the age of 18 years,’ says the agency's Ukraine representative Giovanna Barberis.
How prayer is transforming nations
John Robb, chairman of the International Prayer Council, can testify to the power of transformational prayer in some of the most difficult places in the world. After a personal encounter with God that stopped him in his tracks, he started taking teams of prayer leaders into war zones. ‘We prayed for the healing and transformation of war-torn nations and saw some amazing wonders happen,’ says Robb. The youtube video link herewith gives just a few of the most impacting stories from Cambodia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Mexico. Prayer is awesome and we have been given the authority to make the invisible kingdom visible.
Five million worldwide receive Christ via Billy Graham website
An Internet evangelistic website set up by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) marked a milestone as the five millionth person received Christ at PeaceWithGod.net. The ministry uses Bible verses and video presentations to share the Gospel with visitors to the site, which was launched in May 2011. ‘This is significant because we’re following Billy Graham’s legacy of taking the most advanced technical capabilities available and reaching people where they are with the hope of Jesus,’ said John Cass, BGEA’s Director of Internet Evangelism. ‘This has given us the opportunity to go to the ends of the earth.’ More than 20,000 people a day are viewing a presentation of the Gospel via the website. ‘For decades we have worked to fill venues with people so Billy, Franklin or Will Graham can proclaim the Gospel,’ said Cass. ‘The way we look at it, this is similar to welcoming a full arena to hear the message on a daily basis.’
How prayer is transforming nations
John Robb, chairman of the International Prayer Council, can testify to the power of transformational prayer in some of the most difficult places in the world. After a personal encounter with God that stopped him in his tracks, he started taking teams of prayer leaders into war zones. ‘We prayed for the healing and transformation of war-torn nations and saw some amazing wonders happen,’ says Robb. The youtube video link herewith gives just a few of the most impacting stories from Cambodia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Mexico. Prayer is awesome and we have been given the authority to make the invisible kingdom visible.
Five million worldwide receive Christ via Billy Graham website
An Internet evangelistic website set up by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) marked a milestone as the five millionth person received Christ at PeaceWithGod.net. The ministry uses Bible verses and video presentations to share the Gospel with visitors to the site, which was launched in May 2011. ‘This is significant because we’re following Billy Graham’s legacy of taking the most advanced technical capabilities available and reaching people where they are with the hope of Jesus,’ said John Cass, BGEA’s Director of Internet Evangelism. ‘This has given us the opportunity to go to the ends of the earth.’ More than 20,000 people a day are viewing a presentation of the Gospel via the website. ‘For decades we have worked to fill venues with people so Billy, Franklin or Will Graham can proclaim the Gospel,’ said Cass. ‘The way we look at it, this is similar to welcoming a full arena to hear the message on a daily basis.’
Prayer and proclamations outside Scottish Parliament
30 November is St Andrew's Day, is 30th November and Prayer Scotland are calling for 500 to come to praise, pray and proclaim outside the Scottish Parliament - rallying to a Trumpet Call at 2.45 p.m. Scotland’s Flag or Saltire (meaning cross) depicts how Andrew the disciple of Jesus was crucified for His faith. Many believe now is the time for the Church to step out into the public arena and speak out with one voice for their Christian faith. Laws have been passed breaking God's laws and the freedom, authority and truth of the Gospel are being eroded. This Call is an opportunity for Christians to cry as one before the Lord, honouring and exalting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of Scotland; repenting for personal and national sin and seeking forgiveness for the Church's turning away from clear biblical values. The day will be about honouring Jesus.