Bandits came on motorcycles—200 by some estimations—riding through the early hours of a July morning into villages across northwest Nigeria to raid, steal, attack, and kill. As the reverberating sound of hundreds of engines grew louder, residents awoke and, in a panic, tried to flee.

Some made it to safety, hiding in the bush until the threat was gone. Others weren’t so lucky. They were injured, kidnapped or, in the case of 46 people, including soldiers, they were killed.

This wasn’t the first time such attacks occurred, nor will they be the last. And missionaries you support, as well as hundreds of converts, were victims of this recent violence. They sustained injuries, and they are now homeless, displaced, and without a livelihood.

“The aftermath of this attack has been devastating for our community,” the ministry leader said. “Three motorcycles belonging to our missionaries were taken. Entire families are now displaced, traumatized, and exposed to danger with no shelter or food. By the mercy of God, our missionaries escaped, but not without harm—many of them sustained serious injuries and are in need of medical care.”

Who Are These Bandits?

Banditry arose decades ago as land for farming and grazing diminished, causing conflicts between farmers and herders to increase in the mostly Muslim northwest region of the country. Today, that threat has expanded to other regions and, according to one source, has proven to be more deadly than the growing terrorism threat here. In fact, much of rural Nigeria now must grapple with kidnappings for ransom, as well as attacks and raids such as these that affected a local ministry.

You Can Help Get Urgent Assistance to Missionaries

As missionaries evaluate their losses and receive necessary medical care for their injuries, the ministry is preparing to evacuate, shelter, and treat its people. But it is overwhelmed by the situation. “The need for intervention is urgent and critical,” the ministry leader said. “We are currently preparing to deploy emergency aid and send a relief team into the field to assist with the situation. Your support right now will directly impact lives and help us respond swiftly.”

Pray for this ministry as they organize aid for those affected by the recent attacks. Please consider a donation today to support their work. “We are pleading for your immediate prayers and support,” the ministry leader said. “Please stand with us at this critical hour.”