No fewer than seven Christian women – one of them married – were earlier this year abducted in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina “and married off to radical Muslim men and forcibly converted to Islam.” This is according to Persecution.org, the official website of the International Christian Concern (ICC).

The US-based watchdog credited the report to quoting the Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO), claiming that the incidents took place “between March 23rd and April 30th” this year. It quoted HACFO as disclosing that “5 girls were kidnapped in Kaduna State, 1 in Kano State, and the already married lady was taken from Katsina State.”

ICC quoted HACFO as saying in its report: “We are saddened to report to you the battles we have been fighting even amidst the lockdown. The Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO) has been working on the following tragic incidences of abduction and forceful Islamization, despite the fact that the lockdown has limited our efforts:

a) 5 Christian Girls abducted and Islamized in Kaduna State, two rescued and three still in captivity.

b) 1 Girl abducted and Islamized in Kano State

c) 1 Married woman a mother of two was abducted in Katsina State, her Christian marriage nullified by the Muslims and is now Islamized and about to be married to a Muslim.

“The Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO) has been working for the release of these 6 Hausa Christian Girls and One Married woman even amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown. We have been putting so much effort but having very little results. We are grateful to God that 2 of the 6 girls have been rescued, but our heart aches for the remaining 4 girls and the 1 married woman knowing fully well that their lives will be in danger. The usual practice is that these girls will be forced into marriage and perpetually be abused sexually, physical and emotionally.”

Commenting on the HACFO report, ICC said: “These kind of abductions and forced marriages are becoming more common. ICC has partnered with groups in Nigeria to rescue several girls who were taken in the past year. Often these girls tell of being grabbed or drugged by men. They often then remember waking up in a room with an Islamic woman teaching them Arabic and the Quran. When parents try to interfere and rescue their children, they are met with resistance and threats by the community, police and judges, especially in the twelve Northern States where Sharia Law is legal. In these states, Christians have secondary citizenship and Islamic law holds the power. This often makes it hard or impossible for parents to rescue their daughters.

“Thankfully, two of the girls HACFO reported on have already been freed. However, for the other five, it is unsure if these women will ever be free. Please pray for young women in Northern Nigeria who face potential kidnapping and forced conversion. Also pray for peace for the families of those who are taken. Pray that God would grant them peace and hope that they will see their daughters again.”

Update news