Militants repenting and converting in northern Nigeria

 (Photo: mllepetite)

Christians in northern Nigeria are working with children and former insurgents who have left violent militia groups.

Boko Haram and other insurgents have been carrying out violent and deadly attacks across northern Nigeria for several years, killing thousands.

Partners of Christian Aid Mission are supporting former insurgents and providing aid to streams of people coming into a refugee camp set up to protect them.

Bringing aid has its own challenges, with military blocks stationed along roads.  The military blocks have also come under deadly attack from insurgents.

In a report to Christian Aid Mission earlier this month, the leader of one ministry working in the region said they had not been able to visit the refugee camp for two weeks.

"The military would not guarantee our safety," the ministry leader said.

"We are playing it safe now. We have been able to repatriate some people, including children and ex-insurgents who left the rebel group and repented of their crimes.

"We have been training and feeding them at two of our stations – the School of Missions and our convert care centre. Thank you for your support. To handle these crises is no small work."

At one refugee camp sheltering 300,000 people, the ministry is providing people with food and medicine, and distributing audio Bibles to Muslims.

One field staffer told of a convert who had previously championed attacks on two villages.

"He cries now when he remembers killing innocent people. I am personally working with him to help him overcome the trauma.

"He stays with one of our mission friends who takes care of him."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Holy Land risks becoming 'Christian Disneyland'
Holy Land risks becoming 'Christian Disneyland'

Anti-Christian sentiment from the Jewish community “can no longer be considered marginal”.

Is Donald Trump religious?
Is Donald Trump religious?

New figures from Pew Research Center suggest that most Americans believe President Trump is not a very religious person.

Why the ‘War Cry’ still sounds on Britain’s high streets
Why the ‘War Cry’ still sounds on Britain’s high streets

When Queen Victoria sat on the British throne, and Benjamin Disraeli was her prime minister, a Christian newspaper was launched that can still be found on the nation’s streets nearly 150 years later.

Enoch Burke saga continues as hearing collapses
Enoch Burke saga continues as hearing collapses

The Christian school teacher has spent over 650 days in prison after continuing to turn up to his former school despite a court order barring him from the premises.