Militant Islam threatens Nigeria, and all Africa: Catholic Bishop

Nigeria, 4 January 2014: “If Nigeria falls to Islamic extremists, all of Africa will be at risk,” a Nigerian Catholic bishop has warned. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Hyacinth Egbebo, administrator of Bomadi, said that the terrorist group Boko Haram is pushing for the institution of Islamic Shari’a law in Nigeria. “If they should overrun Nigeria,” he said, “it will be a stepping stone to conquering smaller countries.”

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with 160 million people, of whom half ar Christian. Boko Haram has targeted the Christian population in its terror campaign, and in the past 2 years nearly 2,000 Christians have died.

The terrorist campaign has destroyed the stability of the African nation, Bishop Egbebo reported. Particularly in the southern section of the country, where most Christians live, relations between Christianity and Islam had traditionally been amicable. But the Boko Haram campaign has endangered the future prospects for coexistence.

Asked whether he wished to send a message to the West, Bishp Egbebo replied: “Don’t sit by while Nigeria disintegrates! Make sure Boko Haram is defeated.” Source: CWN