Ten Arrested in Nigeria After Attack on Team of Evangelists

Police have arrested 10 Muslim militants in Dutse, the capital of northern Nigeria's Jigawa state, for perpetrating an attack on a team of Christian evangelists on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

According to Compass Direct, police reported that 10 heavily armed extremists attacked the “New Life For All” evangelistic team as they were leaving for an open-air evangelistic event. Other Muslims reportedly joined in the fray, siding with the Christians against the extremist group, until police arrived to restore order and arrested the assailants. The incident reportedly left two people dead—one of them a militant—and 20 others injured.

"This attack [is the] second in a year in which Christians are being attacked without provocation," said Rev. Umaru of the Christian Association of Nigeria. "The situation is becoming more difficult for us."

According to Voice of the Martyrs, violence against Christians is not rare in Dutse. In March 2003, three churches and a hotel were destroyed.