Join the sub-Saharan African church in praising God for 686 kidnapped women, men and children being rescued by Cameroon’s and Nigeria’s armed forces.
Kidnap is increasingly used as a brutal tactic by several Islamic militant groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Many families and communities have had to wait years to hear updates about their loved ones – most notoriously the Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria, of whom more than 90 are still in captivity. But there has been some welcome news from the region, with 686 captives rescued!
These abductees had been taken by Islamic militants Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province, an offshoot of Boko Haram). They were freed in two separate operations by the Nigerian and Cameroonian military forces. It’s not yet known how many of the rescued women, men and children are Christians.
Most of the rescued captives are women and children
According to local news, 300 Boko Haram/ISWAP captives were freed earlier in May during an operation called Alpha in the Far North of Cameroon. There were 191 children, 99 women and 10 men, all of whom had been taken from neighbouring Nigeria. Steps are under way to take them back home.
On Tuesday 21 May, Nigerian news reported that 386 people, mostly women and children, had been rescued by the Army in Sambisa forest. Many had been held captive for 10 years.
An armed forces spokesperson shared the news while speaking to media on the outskirts of Sambisa forest. The operation, named ‘Desert Sanity 111’, lasted 10 days and aimed ‘to clear Sambisa forest of the remnants of all categories of terrorists’. He said he believed the number of civilians rescued was likely to increase.
The news is an encouragement to those who are persevering in prayer for the remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and many other Christians who are being held by militant groups in the region.
It is a significant answer to prayer for all those who have been faithful in asking God to intervene in the ongoing hostage crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that this was a concerted effort by the nations’ governments demonstrates that they are taking the kidnappings seriously, and actively seeking to thwart militant groups and rescue civilians – which is encouraging and gives hope for future rescue operations.
Please pray for other captive Christians
During the 10-year remembrance service for the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, now young women, a Chibok parent called Yana Gala told Open Doors partners: “
My hope and prayer is that the God that doesn’t fail will bring back our own children. Even if they have children now, no matter the condition they are in, we want them that way." Yana's daughter Rifkatu is still among those missing.
Many Chibok families and Leah's parents are of one mind that God is their only solution and ongoing prayer their only resort.
Please join these parents and continue to pray for the safe release of all of brothers and sisters being held captive, whether or not we know their names.
*Photo for illustrative purpose only
please pray
- Praise God for this encouraging news, and pray for the rescued women, men and children to heal from their trauma
- That more successful operations in the region would lead to many more people being rescued
- For the militants to encounter Jesus and ‘turn from their wicked ways and live’ (Ezekiel 33:11).
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