Can you describe what you’re doing in Nigeria, how long you’ve been there, and what an average day might look like for your family?

We’ve been in Nigeria for around 20 years, working with a local Christian denomination. We have supporting roles in the church’s community-based holistic ministry in the areas of animal and human health. Our children have all completed their secondary schooling in Nigeria and are now working and studying in Australia. The nature of our work means that there is no ‘average day’ as much of what we do is in response to the needs of others. The practicalities of living in a country like Nigeria means that activities that might be done quickly and without a second thought in Australia (like banking, dealing with government departments, buying petrol, getting water to the house, getting repairs done on the car, finding exactly what you need to purchase, cooking meals, etc.) may take much longer and require much more planning and effort.

In light of the recent and continuing violence at the hands of Boko Haram in Nigeria, can you describe how people are feeling right now? How are you and others reacting to news of Boko Haram’s latest attacks? 

It is impossible to generalise about the impact of Boko Haram as it must be remembered that Nigeria is an extremely complex country with over 160 million people in an area about the size of New South Wales and Victoria combined. Over the 36 states, Boko Haram has been active (in terms of raids and taking over communities) in three states. There have been isolated attacks and bombings in some other states and the Federal Capital Territory, which Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for.

For many in Nigeria, their direct experience of Boko Haram would be the same as that of people in Australia – they see and hear of it via the electronic and written media. They are aware of the attacks but unless they are directly affected or they know people who are there, little notice is taken. However, there has been an overall increase in security throughout the country – people are checked with metal detectors before entering public buildings such as banks and churches and there has been an increase in the number of road blocks and security checkpoints. For most people, life goes on relatively normally – social activities such as weddings and baby naming ceremonies continue and most still focus on finding their next meal, getting their children through school, etc.

What seems to have been overlooked by the international media is that there are many other incidents of violence and communal conflict throughout Nigeria and people displaced due to being forced to flee from their homes. Much of this is due to old grievances between settled farmers and nomadic cattle herders who need land for their livestock. As the population has increased and more land has been needed for farming there has been an increase in the level of conflict between these groups. There are also ongoing conflicts between different groups of settled farmers. These inter-tribal disputes have been occurring for generations so in many ways are not a new thing – however, with more sophisticated weapons and more desperation they are impacting more people and causing more deaths and destruction of property. Some of this conflict may be connected with Boko Haram or funded from the same sources or influenced by the same ideology.

As well, in the south of the country in the oil-producing areas there are still incidents of kidnappings and piracy (some reports would tend to indicate that Nigeria has more attacks by pirates than Somalia). Attacks by armed robbers are also fairly common in some areas. At the moment, campaigning is underway for elections to be held in February and often there are outbreaks of violence associated with both the campaigns and following the announcement of the election results.

Is this changing how you live in Nigeria? 

Over the past few years we have become more cautious about where we go and when we travel. Our work used to involve travel to states in the more northern parts of the country but we don’t travel there now. This is to not draw attention to those we work with as much as our own personal security. It is obviously difficult for westerners to blend in and not be conspicuous.

Are Christians being targeted in the Boko Haram attacks? 

Not directly in all cases. Boko Haram have been bombing various targets including churches but also markets, government buildings, motor parks and mosques.

Do you think the presence of Boko Haram is changing the church in Nigeria?

For many, they are not directly affected and there’s been no obvious change. Some congregations have had their buildings destroyed more than once but continue to re-build and want a physical ‘presence’ in their communities. We have heard some discussion of new ways of ‘doing church’ rather than large congregations in specially designated buildings but we’ve not heard of any of the large established churches making significant changes.

Has your family, or your wider church family, been personally affected by the most recent Boko Haram attacks? 

The denomination we work with has had many church buildings destroyed and a number of pastors killed. Many church members and pastors have been forced to re-locate and join the large number of internally displaced people in Nigeria. The mission arm of the denomination we work with has been forced to close two of its fields in the last few years due to insecurity and direct attacks in some instances. We know a number of people who have been very close to Boko Haram bomb attacks.

Although not due to Boko Haram, we know a number of families who have members of their extended family staying with them due to violent attacks in their home villages (some around 30 km from where we live).

How have you seen God provide comfort under such circumstances? 

People readily acknowledge that there is no human solution to the current difficulties. Government efforts to control the terrorism and violence have not been able to stop it occurring and it’s very difficult to determine what impact the security agencies have been having in reducing the violence and loss of life. It is commonly expressed that only God can bring peace and stop the violence. It would be wrong to say that Nigerian Christians are fatalistic, but from our perspective they seen to accept disaster and situations they cannot control much more readily than people do in Australia. In the midst of situations that would overwhelm Australian Christians, they seem to be more wanting to praise God and continue as ‘normal’ rather than lamenting their suffering and praying for peace and a resolution.

Do you fear for your own safety, or those in your church? 

Not personally. Many in our denomination are in very risky areas close to where Boko Haram is most active. Many churches are in areas affected by the ongoing communal clashes over land. Bombings seem to be able occur almost anywhere at any time, so in a sense we are all at risk all the time.

You’ve been in Nigeria for a very long time. In the face of such violence in the country, why do you stay?

In some ways there have always been risks with living in Nigeria. Not just from terrorist attacks or being caught in the crossfire of some other
conflicts. We have often thought more at risk from armed robbery attacks or road accidents than from communal conflict. Random violent attacks can occur anywhere in the world and if we stayed in Australia we wouldn’t be immune from this risk. The needs we felt called to address in coming to Nigeria are still present and we feel we have a role in encouraging and supporting Nigerian Christians in their many challenges. The experience we have gained in Nigeria wood have limited application in Australia and we feel strongly God hasn’t shown us it’s time to leave permanently

When the international media report at all on what’s happening in Nigeria, it’s really only about Boko Haram. But are there other challenges you can see for Christians in Nigeria? 

There are the communal conflicts and other security challenges previously mentioned. As with those who follow Jesus anywhere there is the danger of the church becoming institutionalised and not a true fellowship of God’s children. There is a danger of becoming compromised with those in authority and not speaking out against what is wrong in order to gain favour and support from those in positions of influence. Some would want to focus on material blessings rather then advocating holiness and justice at both a personal and societal level. It is possible to have a ‘form of religion’ without a true and living faith.

** Image credit: Flickr/JeffAttaway, used under CC Licence.