NIGERIA: More Than 50 Christians Killed over Muslim Cartoons
February 24, 2006 Image Image

Muslim rioters are responsible for up to 58 deaths (mostly Christians) on the streets of Maiduguri, in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, which were triggered by protests over the Danish cartoons satirizing Islam. It is reported that at least 51 Christians were brutally killed on the February 18 rampage, while over 150 homes and 32 churches were burned, and 85 shops were destroyed. Authorities were finally able to control the volatile scene after arresting 114 and having militia enforce a curfew.

The mayhem began when Muslims staged their demonstration against degrading caricatures of Mohammad that were originally published in September 2005 by the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten. Even though the cartoons were by no means a Christian attack on Islam, Muslims in Nigeria and throughout the world have turned their rage toward Christians, many of whom have never even heard of the controversial sketches.

Muslims are using the cartoons as an excuse to wage their violent jihad (holy war) against Christians, and have been reported running through the streets of Maiduguri threatening people with death and violence if they did not speak their local dialect. Many of the dozens of victims were publicly tortured to death in the city streets.

Amidst the violence, six children were burned to ashes in front of their father, Joseph Tukwa, who was unable to rescue them, according to Nigeria’s The Daily Sun. Six Christian leaders, including Rev. Joshua Adamu, were injured and are now in hiding. Church of Christ in Nigeria, Living Faith Church, Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, St. Augustine's Catholic Church and St Mary’s Catholic Church were some of the churches set ablaze by rioters, who killed two Catholic priests. St. Rita’s Catholic Church was also torched, where Rev. Fr. Matthew Gajere was murdered and then burned after he helped several alter boys escape to safety.

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