Christians a deliberate target by boko haram

Despite previous reports, a human rights organization for religious freedom says a recent bloody attack in Nigeria was not directed at the government (see earlier story).

At least 150 lives were lost in the northern Nigeria attack, and Jonathan Racho of International Christian Concern (ICC) says Christians were the deliberate target.

"The press painted this as another attack targeting the police, whereas our investigation reveals that the majority of the victims are Christians who were deliberately targeted because of their faith," he reports.

A radical Islamic group called Boko Haram is taking credit for the killings through measures like suicide bombings at police stations and business and fires at churches. After contacting an associate in the region, Racho received this account:

"It was a direct attack against Christians. They asked, 'Are you a Christian or a Muslim?' If you said you were a Christian, they killed you," the ICC spokesman quotes. "They were selective. They attacked 11 church[es]. They didn't attack any mosques."

The danger for Christians in northern Nigeria has increased throughout recent months. So as Sunday's International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church approaches, ICC is asking believers to remember the attacks in their congregational and individual prayers. Follow @todaysgist

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