NIAM: The Christian community has been terrified by violent protests by Islamic extremists led by Muslim imams over the cancellation of public worship as part of a lockdown in the West African country of Nigeria to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Christian community in Nigeria is concerned that the protest will turn against minority Christians. In addition to the capital city of Niamh, extremist Islamists have taken to the streets to protest Friday rituals in Mayahi, not far from Maradi.
Residents of the Pontifical NGO Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have reported that government buildings have been demolished and schools and universities have been set on fire. The ACN said that the Christian community in the region was appalled by the violence that broke out in the Cinder region in the southeastern part of the country. Although Christians have not yet been assaulted, the incident of the attack on 45 Christian shrines in Niger over the 2015 cartoon’s appearance in French comedy Charlie Hebdo is doubling Christians’ concern.
Local residents say that the smell of tire gas and burnt tires in the cities. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in areas including Maradi. Institutions, including the Catholic Mission Center, are now under heavy security. Following the government’s restrictions, the bishop of Burkina and Nigeria has canceled public participation and prayer meetings. About 96% of the population of Nigeria is Muslim.
