At least 1,000 Christians were killed in 2019, with more than 5,000 killed since 2015, according to a U.K. report.
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| Leah Sharibu (Facebook/Free Leah Sharibu Now) |
By Save the Persecuted Christians
Charisma News
Reports surfaced over the weekend that kidnapped Nigerian teen Leah Sharibu has a newborn son and that her family is still begging for her release. (Image: Facebook-Free Leah Sharibu Now /via Charisma News)
Save the Persecuted Christians (STPC), which advocates on behalf of the more than 300 million followers of Christ facing heavy persecution worldwide, has worked on behalf of Sharibu, who was taken captive and held as a "slave for life" by terrorists in February 2018.
"The news that Leah may have a newborn son broke as Americans were marching for life in Washington, DC," said Dede Laugesen, executive director of Save the Persecuted Christians, who collaborated with the International Committee on Nigeria and the Leah Foundation to bring Rebecca Sharibu, Leah's mother, to the nation's capital in June.
"The child, said to be the son of a top Boko Haram commander who holds Leah captive, is born into the life of a young teenager a world away. Her life is a constant horrific state of terror, violence, mental anguish and rape. The story of Leah, the missing Chibok girls and the Christian girls of Pakistan, Egypt, Syria and Iraq who are taken, tortured and killed cannot be forgotten. During Sanctity of Human Life Month, Christians who defend life must defend it even for the least of these mothers—no matter how they came to be mothers."
Save the Persecuted Christians tweeted Sunday: "#FreeLeah Leah's family presses on. Calls recent reports rumors. Demands 'proof of life' video. Wants Leah alive. @IRF_Ambassador @SecPompeo @realDonaldTrump."
An STPC Facebook post implored further prayers for Leah and her family: "The family of Leah Sharibu have discounted news of her giving birth to a baby boy after a forced conversion and marriage to a top Boko Haram commander as a rumor. They demand a 'proof of life' video and simply want to know she is alive, with or without a baby.
They want her home again. It's been nearly two agonizing years since Leah was taken captive Feb. 19, 2018, with over 100 other girls. Leah was kept, when all the others who were still living were released, because Leah refused to renounce her Christian faith. Leah will be 17 in May. Please keep praying for Leah! Pray for her family too. #FreeLeah #SaveUs"
A new article today quoted Leah's father, who said his daughter's ordeal will not cause him to stop attending church or serving God. He also said the Nigerian government knows Leah's whereabouts.
Persecution Unveiled has been called to prick the consciences of our nation and all free people to pray for, speak up and act on behalf of those who are persecuted for their faith. Follow us on Pinterest.
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