ACN Nigeria Project Visit – Day 3

I was struggling to hear what the person is saying. This morning, we were sat in our accommodation in Katsina, a city just seven miles from the border with Niger, which neighbours Nigeria to the north. The individual, whom I will not name for security reasons, clearly didn’t want anyone to listen in. He said: “The Christians here are discriminated in the workplace so much that most of them can’t get decent jobs. If they do. it’ll be because they’ve changed their Christian surname to an Arabic one.”
It’s an ominous start to the second leg of our trip, made more so by the fact that we were unable to leave the compound without armed security, mounted guard both at the front and at the back of our convoy.

Welcome to the Church of St Mary – Glory be to Jesus.’ The first destination in our itinerary was Dutsin-Ma, 60-70 kilometres from Katsina. Greeted by the youthful parish priest Fr Amos Bahwya, he tells us the place has become a ghost town: “Seventy percent of Christians here have left because of the security situation and violence from bandits.” He explained that, although the militants make little or no distinction between Christians and Muslims, the Christians have left in much larger number because local police prioritise protection for Muslims. He continued: “We had a school here but because of the violence, it’s been abandoned. Nor far away is the university where a student was killed just a few days before we arrived. In response, the university sent all the students home. We heard from Mrs Evangeline Odebo: “I have been here since the church was first started. It used to be a wonderful parish before the insurgency. Our people are very strong but we have lost many members.” I dared ask Fr Amos his age. “33,” comes the reply followed by a huge smile. He said: “I am here on mission. I know the dangers but I am staying to strengthen the faith of my people. There is someone defending me and that is God.”

He is only seven months ordained; ACN funded the students at his seminary. He told me: “Words are not enough to express my appreciation for those who supported my journey to priesthood.” Again and again, we are being told that the priest’s continued presence prevents a complete exodus of Christians from troubled places. This means Christians have a real chance of recovering their homes and businesses as and when better times come and security returns.