NIGERIA: ‘I will not give up my ministry despite death attempt by extremists’
A NIGERIAN catechist who continued his ministry despite nearly being stabbed to death at the hands of knife-wielding extremists is to receive an award for bravery.
Tobias Yahaya is to receive Aid to the Church in Need’s Courage to Be Christian award at a special #RedWednesday Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, on Wednesday, 19th November at 6pm.
He said: “I’m most humbled and honoured to receive this award. I dedicate it to God for his abiding presence, to my family for their endless support and to persecuted Christians all over the world.”
The 26-year-old father of four, from Sokoto Diocese, was lying in bed one night when extremists broke in and stabbed him in the chest.
When one of the militants lunged forward to strike him again, Tobias grabbed him by the arm and raised the alarm.
Later in hospital, doctors said that when he was stabbed the knife was but inches away from major arteries and he was lucky to survive.
The case went to court where it turned out that Tobias’s attackers knew he was a catechist and were bent on punishing him for witnessing to Christ.
The Christian teacher’s passion for Christ helped him overcome the ordeal and from being at death’s door he went back to being a catechist – all within three months, despite fears he would be attacked again.
The incident was the third and most brutal attack Tobias has suffered.
Tobias told John Pontifex, ACN’s Head of Press and Public Affairs, that he was aware that he was immediately identifiable in his bright purple cassock, which are worn by catechists in Africa.
He told John that he prayed about the incident with his wife and children.
He added: “We are determined for me to continue as a catechist… Sometimes, when I put on my cassock, I am afraid, but I stand on my feet because of my Faith… We will do whatever it takes to share our Faith.”
The #RedWednesday Courage to be Christian award is an annual award created by ACN’s UK office to honour those who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery in the face of persecution.
The first award, presented in 2023, went to victims of the 2022 Owo, Nigeria, church bombing, with Margaret and Dominic Attah accepting it on behalf of the survivors, and the 2024 award was given to Ribqa Nevash, a Pakistani advocate for persecuted Christians.
The award is presented on #RedWednesday, which highlights the suffering of persecuted Christians globally.
Tobias is also supporting ACN’s petition calling on governments and international organisations to protect Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The initiative calls on governments to defend religious liberty, protect at-risk faith communities, and provide emergency and legal aid for those suffering persecution because of their beliefs.
Sign the petition here
Tobias will receive his award after the #RedWednesday Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Rd, Southwark SE1 7HY.
The service starts at 6pm on 19th November – with a gathering from 5.30pm – and is followed by refreshments.
