Fifteen churches were burnt to the ground in Gawaram governate in Northern Nigeria's Jigawa State last month. At 14 of the churches, the pastor's home was also torched. The fifteenth pastor rented a house owned by a Muslim. All his possessions were taken out of the house and burnt; the house itself was left undamaged. Churches of at least 4 different denominations were included in the destruction according to the eye-witness report received by the Barnabas Fund. Thankfully no one was hurt in the attacks but the pastors and their families are all now homeless and in need of food, clothes and other basics.

A similar attack on churches in Hajaya governate in Jigawa State earlier in the year left 11 churches burnt down. Meanwhile in neighbouring Kano State some 17 churches were demolished in June. Full Islamic Shari'ah law was introduced in both Kano and Jigawa States last year.

The Barnabas Fund has launched an emergency project to provide immediate aid, such as accommodation, food and clothing, for the pastors and their families and to pay for the long term rebuilding of their homes and churches. If you would like to make a gift to help the pastors, their families and their churches please use the donation submission form on the Barnabas Fund website (specify project 384).