The Christian persecution charity, Open Doors, is warning of intensifying religious persecution of civilians amidst deadly violence in Niger.

Reports collated over August and September describe the seizure and lashings of Christians by groups of Islamist militants entering places of worship.

The floggings occurred in the hamlets of Panpangou, Noanbiti, and Kankangou, in Niger’s Western region, close to the country’s border with Burkina Faso.

“Attacks upon civilians are intensifying in ferocity,” said Illia Djadi, senior analyst with Open Doors and an expert in Freedom of Religious Belief. “We are seeing a surge in religious violations and abuse of civilians in recent months.”

Detailed accounts of attacks targeting Christians at worship are being recorded by Open Doors’ field partners in Niger.

In the first assault, four gunmen entered a church in Panpangou, levelling their weapons at the congregation with the words: “Have you not heard that we have prohibited Christian worship in this area?”

When the worshippers replied in the negative, the jihadists accused them of lying, declaring that every act of Christian worship was now banned.

Married women were then separated from the group. Unmarried females were forced to kneel alongside males. The 17 Christians were each flogged ten times.

The church pastor was singled out and the congregation watched as he was lashed thirty times.

Before leaving, the attackers ordered the church be converted into a mosque.

Open Doors’ field partners in neighbouring hamlets of Kankangou and Noanbiti also recorded similar attacks on Christians in churches on the same date. In each case, worshipping Christians were ordered to convert and told that the practise of Christianity was henceforth banned. (Open Doors)