Pray now! Nigerian student brutally murdered for sharing Jesus

On Thursday, May 12, Muslim students from Shehu Shagari College of Education in Wamako, Sokoto State, Nigeria, brutally attacked and killed fellow student Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a home economics major. Simply because she posted an online message: “Jesus Christ is the greatest, He helped me pass my exams.”

Deborah and her fellow students used an app called WhatsApp (similar to a Slack or Facebook Messenger) to keep in touch, discuss different academic questions and have cordial back-and-forth conversation. Through the app, certain Muslim students posted Islamic quotes, and feeling free to post her own religious encouragements, Deborah shared her Christian faith.

That’s when a group of radical Muslim students took immediate offense and threatened Deborah’s life. Sensing she was in imminent danger, Deborah’s friends tried to evacuate her from the college, but the Muslim students pried Deborah away and stoned her.

Deborah was stoned and flogged and then her lifeless body was set aflame.

Local police have since arrested two men in connection with the attack.

And what was Deborah guilty of to deserve such a brutal death? Acknowledging Jesus Christ as Savior in a country known as the “Christian murder capital of the world.” In 2021, close to 6,000 Nigerian Christians were killed for their faith—that equates to one person martyred every two hours because they follow Jesus. So far in 2022, over 1,900 Nigerians have been killed by bandits, gangs and organized groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

As we mourn the loss of another dear sister, let’s pray earnestly for a country that desperately needs it: Let’s pray for Deborah’s family left behind, that they might find healing through their grieving and discover God’s immense peace and unbelievable grace. Let’s pray for those who hated Deborah’s faith so much they took her life, that they will face justice, but also experience Christ’s tender love in the pits of their chiseled hearts. And let’s pray for Nigeria, a country torn apart by violence towards Christians, that sweeping restoration will move from one end to the other and that tranquility and love will be cast over each Nigerian citizen.

God, we trust You, but we’re hurting. We’re thankful for those who are surrounding Deborah’s family with encouragement, resources and community and ask that You remind us to pray with her family—and all of our family throughout Nigeria.

Although evil is alive and well in this world, we’re grateful to see Your love at work and to know You see and hear the cries of Your people.

Top photo taken from The Guardian Nigeria.