THE FAITH and FATE OF TRUE CHRISTIANS

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By Apostle Stephen Okoye

Democracy is said to have given every citizen the freedom of worship and right to their religious
faith, the Christians, Muslims, Islam and the idol worshipers. However, this religious aspect of
freedom and rights have suffered a significant setback in Nigeria, as reverse is the case.

The violence in Nigeria has stayed as high as possible due to the increased attacks on Christians by Hausa-Fulani
Islamic militant herdsmen. These attacks has claimed and still claiming the lives of hundreds of
believers in southeast and northern part of the country.

In the past two years, the Hausa-Fulani Islamic militant herdsmen expanded their network radically to the southeast, mainly in Enugu, Imo, Port Harcourt, Delta and Anambra and gradually kill those men of God whom they have on their list with the approved grazing law by the President. This grazing law simply means forcefully taking
people’s land and property by the Hausa-Fulani Islamic Militant Herdsmen.

Many men of God have lost their lives, family members and church members to this ugly development, while some
Christians are scared of practicing their faith anymore. Some well-known pastors and evangelist have
turned politicians by forcing their church members to support a particular political party due to the
threats they receive from the core Islamic heads who also hold a high positions in Nigeria politics,
while some Churches General Overseer’s have opted out to praise some politicians to get financial
support and protection against attacks from Hausa-Fulani Islamic Militant Herdsmen.

The fear of Hausa-Fulani Islamic Militant Herdsmen has really affected the faith of most Christians in recent
times and subjects them to a core torture and trauma, but those who have strong faith in God still
stands firm in their persecution, for God said in Habakkuk 1:6-11: 6 ‘For indeed I am raising up the
Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess
dwelling places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity
proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than
evening wolves. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle
that hastens to eat. 9 "They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. They gather
captives like sand. 10 They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. They deride every
stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. 11 Then his mind changes, and he
transgresses; He commits offense, ascribing this power to his God

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In recent time, some communities started ostracising some Christians who are believed to be
targets on the list of the Hausa-Fulani Islamic Militant Herdsmen to avoid being repeatedly
attacked.

The shocking story of Evangelist Obiefuna Emmanuel Orachusim who was recently
ostracised for 10 years in December 14 2018 and 20 th December 2018 from the community where he
last lived in (Eziegbu) in Imo state and in his village(Umuechehu) in Anambra state respectively, still
remains fresh in the hearts of those that know them and had been in contact with them is a typical
example.

Our reporter gathered that those communities received serious threats from Hausa-Fulani
Islamic Militant Herdsmen on the way about of the evangelist and his family because they suspected
that he returned home for Christmas celebration.

On August 3 2018, general overseer of Intercessory Prayer Ministry, prophet ThankGod Abam Ubi who accommodated Evangelist Obiefuna in 2016 after his return from the United Kingdom where he went to study and was repeatedly attacked, tortured and escaped death on his return was shot dead. People around rumoured that he
was killed by the Hausa Fulani herdsmen, police promised to investigate and bring the perpetrators
to book, but nothing was done. Evangelist Obiefuna lost his father (pastor Walter Orachusim) was
assassinated by unknown gunmen.

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It was also gathered that Evangelist Obiefuna’s uncle, eldest
sister and her husband were killed late 2017, while their teenage daughter was abducted and she
had not been seen till date. His elder brother was also shot in 2018 by unknown gunmen and no one
knows about his where about and how he is recovering. His house was burnt in 2016 and their family
house was burnt in 2018. So many Christians are also passing through similar persecution, but why is
Evangelist Obiefuna passing through this? What is his offence? Evangelist Obiefuna has preached in
our church so many times in 2012, 2013, first Sunday in 2014 before he travelled to United Kingdom
to study and in 2016, he is a true mentor and motivator to true christians. So many churches are
scared of making publications about his persecution due to the fear of unknown, both the churches
he has selflessly supported from our findings.

Evangelist Obiefuna has been a fearless, peaceful and bold preacher of the gospel with aim to
encourage peace and love among Christians, Muslims, Islam and idol worshipers. He went as far as
buying a small used van for the Muslim community in Ngala in Borno state Nigeria during his
evangelical mission and in some other Islamic Communities in the North.

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His non tribalistic approach, preaching the true gospel of love and people drew affection and love from some Islamic
communities and most of the changed from Islam to Christian. This is the reason why he is among
the targets of Hausa-Fulani Islamic Militant Herdsmen. His preaching, lessons and his zeal for peace
and love played a significant role in Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), which gave rise to non-
violence protest in the whole of eastern part of Nigeria known as Biafra land.

He empowered youths and changed lives of so many youths positively as he has always being a true Christian from birth. His good record speaks more about him. He became a mentor to both Christians, Islam and Muslims and
has written to the authority and governments on the need to empower the youths and engage them
instead of enriching themselves and this also made him an enemy to this current government.

Also in 2013, Evangelist Obiefuna has repeatedly preached against so many pastors who are threatening
their congregation with death if they do not pay their tithe, and after that he received serious
threats from unknown people. This appears to be the reason why some pastors do not wish to stand
up for him and assist him during this difficult time and the police do not assist in most crimes
involving the Hausa Fulani herdsmen.

Please let all the church of God and body of Christ keep praying for Evangelist Obiefuna Emmanuel
Orachusim where ever he is to have peace and be protected by God. He needs our prayers most at
this trial and persecution time.

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