Nigerian official arrested after Christians attacked

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Worthy News)-- Nigerian police have arrested a government official after Islamic militants killed 19 Christian worshipers during a church service in the town of Otite, Kogi State, on August 6.

Police arrested Yahaya Karaku, the special adviser to the governor of Kogi State, on suspicion of involvement in the attack on Deeper Life Church.

“I am not surprised by involvement of a government official," a Nigerian church leader told International Christian Concern. "There are people in government that are involved in killings of Christians, but their days are numbered."

In a speech at a Nigerian church in January, President Goodluck Jonathan said his government had been infiltrated by members of the militant Islamic sect Boko Haram; Karaku's recent arrest may reveal the extent of that infiltration.

Nigerian Christians have been subjected to waves of relentless attacks from Boko Haram; its members have killed more than 200 Christians in a series of attacks in northern Nigeria this year.

Boko Haram wants to establish an Islamic state under shar'ia throughout Nigeria.