8/13/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Six years ago, the Fulani extremist violence that had terrorized much of Nigeria’s Kaduna state reached the Wayit family, leaving Josiah Micah Wayit and his five younger siblings without their beloved parents.
Their father, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and their mother, a devout Christian known for preaching peace to both Fulani herdsmen and traditional idol worshippers in their village of Baduru in Lere County, were brutally murdered after they had attended the burial of a fellow Christian who had also fallen victim to the violence.
“The Fulani herdsmen targeted my parents because they were Christians and preached the gospel of Christ,” Josiah, 28, told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer. “They killed them because they were spreading a message of peace, even to the Fulani.”
The devastating loss the Wayit family suffered has become too common in recent years, as numerous Christian families in Kaduna have endured ongoing persecution at the hands of Islamic Fulani extremists.
During a recent meeting with pastors and the Kaduna state commissioner of police, the Rev. John Hayab, chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), revealed the sobering facts of the last four years: 23 pastors have been killed, and more than 200 churches have been forced to close due to the relentless attacks.
Since the day the extremists stole his parents from him, Josiah has struggled to provide for his family.
“It has been incredibly difficult to care for my siblings since our parents were killed,” he shared. “The Fulani extremists even took the motorcycle that was given to us, and they continue to destroy our farmland.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, Josiah and his siblings have remained steadfast in their faith. They have relocated to Plateau state, where they are slowly rebuilding their lives, anchored in their relationship with Christ.
Amid the pain and loss, Josiah’s immediate younger brother, 26-year-old Mathias Wayit, is following in his father’s footsteps. Despite the dangers that come with it, Mathias is studying at a seminary to become a pastor.
“I want the gospel of Christ to continue,” Mathias told the ICC staffer. “I am ready to preach the gospel of Christ and, if necessary, to die as a Christian, just like my parents.”
Mathias’s unwavering commitment to his faith, even under the threat of death, is a testament to his family’s resilience, courage, and faithfulness. Without their parents’ guidance, the Wayit children have remained active in their church community, reflecting the same dedication their parents once showed.
“They are committed to church activities, just like their late parents,” a local Christian leader told the ICC staffer.
The Wayit family’s story is one of endurance, hope, and an unyielding commitment to Christ and his kingdom. Amid the persecution they have faced, they have found strength in their relationship with Jesus and the support of their church community. Josiah, now the head of his household, asked his brothers and sisters in Christ who read his story to pray for his family.
“Pray for us to remain strong in Christ,” he implored, “and for my younger brother to become a pastor, just like our father.”
To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email press@persecution.org.
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