[Today's Prayer] Shooting in Nigeria during church meeting… 1 pastor killed, 7 believers kidnapped

A shooting occurred at an overnight prayer meeting at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria, resulting in the death of the senior pastor and kidnapping of seven church members.

The incident occurred around midnight on Saturday, the 1st (local time), in the Desires of Nations parish in Abule Ori, an Obafemi Oude Local Government district.

According to the US Christian Post (CP), Omolola Odutola, a police public relations officer at the state command, told local media during an interview that “The murdered pastor was identified as Kayode Oluwakemi, 56 years of age. . He suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and died at the scene.”

Odutola said, “Pastor Oluwachemi was at church with other pastors and church members, and about seven assailants broke into the church for the purpose of kidnapping and attacked the members with guns and weapons.”

According to the Nigerian Daily Post, 'Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety Corps Commander' Soji Ganzallo said, "Officers rescued seven believers during the operation." The police officers engaged in a fierce gun battle with the kidnappers, in which one of the attackers were killed and several others were seriously injured.”

(omitted)

According to Open Doors, an international persecution monitoring organization, “kidnapping and armed robbery by gangs have increased not only in the South, but also in the Northwest, South-South and South-East regions.

"Terrorist groups, armed shepherds and criminal groups have been involved in a high number of crimes, and Christians are especially vulnerable.”

According to statistics released by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law based in Anambra, at least 700 Christians were killed in Nigeria during the month of May.

Nigerian Christian and human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern that "violence perpetrated over the years by radical shepherds against predominantly Christian rural communities in the Middle Belt has reached genocidal levels."

Source: Christian Today

https://www.christiantoday.co.kr/news/355434

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.

(Psalm 140:12-13)

God, we hear that a pastor has been shot and killed and members have been kidnapped by assailants during an overnight prayer meeting in a church in Nigeria.

The members who had been abducted were fortunately rescued, but in the month of May alone, 700 Christians have already been killed in this land, and we see that the numbers have reached the level of genocide.

Satan is driving our brothers and sisters of faith to death, but may the Lord, who stands on the side of those who suffer and dwells with them, quickly put an end to the violence and murder afflicted against Christians in this land, and establish His justice.

No matter the circumstance, may the faith of the saints not falter and let the sincere confession of faith that never denies the Lord continue to be offered through the lips of the saints, and may they rejoice and give thanks in the name of the Lord.

Lord, in this land where the drops of blood from the martyrdom of Christian brothers and sisters who died without any name and light are sprinkled upon, we believe that countless fruits of life will be born, and a holy revival will come upon Nigeria.

Until the day the Lord returns, as the Nigerian church sincerely and faithfully walks the path of the Lord together before our God, let Nigeria and all nations realize that the Lord is the one truth and return to him singing praises with joy.