ABUJA, Nigeria — It was faith that compelled us to travel to Nigeria last week to see for ourselves the simmering crisis threatening parts of Africa’s wealthiest and most populous country. “Do not stand by idly,” the Book of Leviticus commands, “when the blood of your neighbor is being spilled” (19:16).

Well, blood is flowing like a river through this sprawling country, and it is being spilled at the hands of the Islamist terrorists of Boko Haram and lawless tribesmen. Dozens of victims shared accounts of almost incomprehensible suffering.

A 9-year-old girl told us about watching terrorists murder her parents and siblings with machetes. A pastor whose church had been destroyed twice met with us soon after negotiating the release of two female parishioners kidnapped by Boko Harem while en route to a Christmas celebration. The young women next to him, newly released, still showing signs of shock.

They recounted how the terrorists had captured them at their “checkpoint” within earshot of a state police outpost. One of the young women was sharp enough to keep her phone on and concealed. It allowed the local authorities to locate them. Yet government troops who came within visual distance of the girls chose not to rescue them.

So, the women’s unbreakable pastor took the situation into his own hands. He began to communicate with the terrorists. The ransom demanded was a fortune for any individual in his modest town. So he sold virtually all his possessions, as did other church members, to pay the thousand dollars required to save their lives.

Risking his own life, he drove to the designated place for the exchange in the hope that the terrorists would fulfill the agreement they had reached; mercifully, they did.

Other stories didn’t end so happily. We met men from a village razed entirely by the Islamists. The livelihoods were sabotaged, their families’ massacred. The attackers waited till the middle of the night before assailing men, women and childnre with guns and machetes. Kidnapping wasn’t to their taste. They started fires, then unleashed horrific ethnic cleansing.

Every victim’s story seemed to end with the words “there are thousands more like us.”

One victim has emerged as a symbol of courage — Leah Shurabi. This Christian teenager was 14 when, in an act of heroic faith, she very publicly refused to convert to Islam despite the threats from her blood-soaked terrorist captors. It turned out we were there on the second anniversary of her abduction.

Nigeria’s Muslim president, Muhammadu Buhari, shared her Christian testimony in a statement published here on the front page of a leading newspaper while we were in the country.

“Leah remains in the hands of the terrorists,” said Buhari. “They say [it’s] because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith. We say that no person has the right to force another to change their faith against their will, and that all life is sacred.”

Buhari was right to make these pronouncements, as it’s right for Christian leaders to make similar pronouncements when the victims are Muslims.

Yet his Muslim-dominated administration must work harder to build trust between the Islamic north, the Christian south and the mixed middle of the country. Given that the terrorists wage jihad to chants of “Allahu Akbar,” it’s no surprise that victim and perpetrator alike see the conflict in religious terms.

To be sure, there are many imams who denounce Boko’s hijacking of their faith. Even so, the terrorists are succeeding at waging a type of holy war. Nigeria must take action to defend its citizens from the terrorist threats, to bring to justice the wanton murderers, arsonists, kidnappers and rapists. The alternative is a gathering terrorist storm that could destabilize the country and West Africa as a whole.

Why should America care? For starters, a failed Nigerian state would be a disaster for its people, Africa and the United States. Even if 5 percent of Nigeria’s massive, young population is drawn to support Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS, it would make the Islamist threats radiating from Afghanistan seem like child’s play.

That, in turn, could create a refugee crisis more acute than the one triggered by the Syrian conflict. The world could find itself managing a dangerous brew of religious (Islamist) terrorism by non-state actors, intensified by ethnic distrust, all ripe for exploitation by malign actors like the Iranian regime.

That’s why we believe the United States should appoint a special envoy for the region to work with the Nigerian government to immediately address the region’s security challenges. Meanwhile, religious leaders of all faiths must stand in solidarity with one another in defiance of the hate that terrorists aim to foment.

As one of Nigeria’s most influential Christian leaders told us, “yesterday was the best day to act.” In a separate meeting, one of the country’s most prominent imams said virtually the same. They are right. Time is running out.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper is the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Rev. Johnnie Moore is the president of the Congress of Christian Leaders.

Our president and his hopelessly biased Muslim government are potential war criminals who have reneged on their oath to defend all irrespective of faith , and they should be held to account by the international community.

As far as I'm concerned buhari is to blame.

Does this surprise anyone? Until the southern regions seek independence, we shall always be ruled by the cow shaggers up north.

Misleading information. Muslims are the ones suffering 99% of Boko Haram, bandits, fulani herdsmen, kidnappers atrocities while this people are using this as conspiracy to defraud international donors and attention

Where is that happening?

Are there no Muslims in Southern Nigeria ni?

tsephanyah:
Misleading information. Muslims are the ones suffering 99% of Boko Haram, bandits, fulani herdsmen, kidnappers atrocities while this people are using this as conspiracy to defraud international donors and attention

you are one of the bad people in Nigeria . When boko haram started they were killing IGbos and bombing churches . I lost 15 close relatives to Boko . Many christians and Igbos have left the region hence less number to be killed

ludd2018:

you are one of the bad people in Nigeria . When boko haram started they were killing IGbos and bombing churches . I lost 15 close relatives to Boko . Many christians and Igbos have left the region hence less number to be killed

15 relatives in accident or what

Link of the Source?

They said major general Muhammadu Buhari will lead troops himself to decimate boko haram within a month if he becomes president.
It has been years now since he became commander in chief nothing to show other than commissioning toy drones bought with millions of dollars.

Nonsense!!
The world should continue treating the genocide against Christians in Nigeria with kid gloves, just as they did with Rwanda in 1994 until they are wiped out.

How many more thousands would be massacred in the most horrendous manner before sanctions and other strict measures against the perpetrators (by omission or commission) start rolling in

tsephanyah:
Misleading information. Muslims are the ones suffering 99% of Boko Haram, bandits, fulani herdsmen, kidnappers atrocities while this people are using this as conspiracy to defraud international donors and attention

You are playing your role perfectly well.
While your brethren are in the field slaughtering innocent lives, you stay online diverting attention. Your HOLY DECEPTION is well noted. Keep it up

tsephanyah:
15 relatives in accident or what

he said to boko onslaught.

May God deliver us from this Boko Haram government.

Biafrarep:
Nonsense!!
The world should continue treating the genocide against Christians in Nigeria with kid gloves, just as they did with Rwanda in 1994 until they are wiped out.

How many more thousands would be massacred in the most horrendous manner before sanctions and other strict measures against the perpetrators (by omission or commission) start rolling in

What have Christians in Nigeria done to defend themselves before seeking external help?
Heaven help those that help themselves, so therefore until Christians fight back don't expect anyone to fight your battle for you.

Yes, Bornu, Yobe and Adamawa States and Christian States. Dear New York Times, are those shooting and killing me in shopping malls, schools, playgrounds, mosques, churches and everywhere in America also Islamists? Capital NO. Rather they are your children who are drug addicts, white supremetists and homosexuals.

StreetFight:
Yes, Bornu, Yobe and Adamawa States and Christian States. Dear New York Times, are those shooting and killing me in shopping malls, schools, playgrounds, mosques, churches and everywhere in America also Islamists? Capital NO. Rather they are your children who are drug addicts, white supremetists and homosexuals.

the message is clear ! Boko haram is Islamic jihads movements, if they're carryout thier madness, they should stay away from Christians! United states is a Christian country, just as saudi Arabia is islamic. They're defending thier own. Let saudi Arabia defend thier as well...

Hmmm.

I am yet to see one remorseful muslims that would condemn these boko haram boys. All you hear is they are killing muslims too, now the big question is 'which religion are these boko haram that are killing people everywhere?'

Are they Christians?

Just wait, one slow poke is coming to tell you that 1300 years ago, Christians too massacred some people, and that's all.

This shows that majority of the muslim communities are okay with the killings.

chriskosherbal:
he said to boko onslaught.

Did you really think that she didn't see where he mentioned bōko boys?!!!

Haven't you heard about islamist taqiyya and how ållah is the best of deceivers according to the qûran?!!!

ALL of them are the same!!!

When they say boko haram muslim terrorist kill more muslims than Christians, just know that it's a LIE from the pit of Hell! Remember, muslims are permited to lie (Taqiyya) for the advancement of Islam.
Taqiyya (Lies and Deception) is Islam's number 1 weapon of war!

Boko haram mostly target Christian communities in the North to exterminate Christians and pave way for Islamization. Buhari's satanic fulani/Abba Kyari led regime, boko haram and fulani terrorist are all on the same team, fighting for the same goal which is complete annihilation of Christians in Nigeria for total implementation of Sharia. Already the devilish regime has imported THOUSANDS OF FOREIGN FULANI AND BOKO HARAM TERRORIST and station them in remote places all over the country. Their mission? To begin a campaign of MASS GENOCIDE of Christians through SECRET kidnap and murder throughout the country! The process (ISLAMIC JIHAD) has already began with being people abducted and murdered secretly as they go about their normal business.
If you think I'm just raising false alarm to fuel hate, then sorry for you.
Total division of Nigeria is the only way to secure our future and the future of our children.
ONE NIGERIA IS DEAD!

tsephanyah:
Misleading information. Muslims are the ones suffering 99% of Boko Haram, bandits, fulani herdsmen, kidnappers atrocities while this people are using this as conspiracy to defraud international donors and attention

Are you high ? 99% Muslim
Brono alone has 30% Christians n we know the Christian part like chibok is where boko ha ram raid most times

bastardmod:
Our president and his hopelessly biased Muslim government are potential war criminals who have reneged on their oath to defend all irrespective of faith , and they should be held to account by the international community.

Well said sir.

Buhari government is on a grand ethno-religious and supremacist cleansing agenda.Only reasonable people can really sense it.

ludd2018:

you are one of the bad people in Nigeria . When boko haram started they were killing IGbos and bombing churches . I lost 15 close relatives to Boko . Many christians and Igbos have left the region hence less number to be killed

That idiot isn't a lady, but a deluded Muslim miscreant, jihadist and terrorist apologist.

Buhari has always been a core northerner at heart and is like the Islamic version of Hitler. He does the dirty works and takes cover with his people.

THE NIGERIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY SET UP..BOKOHARAM TO WIPE OUT

CHRISTIANS ...NOW THE MONSTER THEY CREATED IS OUT OF CONTROL.

CHRISTIANS CAN'T CONTINUE TO BE SACRIFICIAL LAMP FOR BOKOHARAM

tsephanyah:
Misleading information. Muslims are the ones suffering 99% of Boko Haram, bandits, fulani herdsmen, kidnappers atrocities while this people are using this as conspiracy to defraud international donors and attention

MUST CHRISTIANS SUFFER 1% AS SACRIFICIAL LAMP TO THE MONSTER MUSLIMS CREATED.

MUSLIMS CREATED THE MONSTER CALLED BOKOHARAM AS SUCH MUSLIMS SHOULD DEAL WITH IT AND LEAVE CHRISTIANS OUT OF THEIR JIHAD.

The Buhari govt is looking the other way round while allowing Islamist Jihadis overun Christian and minority communities in Nigeria

Mehn! Y'all are just tripping

CodeTemplar:
Buhari has always been a core northerner at heart and is like the Islamic version of Hitler. He does the dirty works and takes cover with his people.

Wow! Just wow... so you're telling me that Christians in the presidency likes of Boss Mustafa(SGF) , Our honest pastor and Vice president Prof Osinbajo, Gabriel(Chief of Defense staff), Ibas(Chief of Naval staff) to mention a few are just looking on?

GamalNasser:
The Buhari govt is looking the other way round while allowing Islamist Jihadis overun Christian and minority communities in Nigeria

Dis one as well ,you never disappoint! Do you even listen to yourself? Boko haram has been in existence since 2009 and it grew stronger during the drunkards regime because of negligence and corruption oh and did i mention that the army chiefs then where Christians? (Ihejirika) Some even from the north? (Alex barde) explain to me how it all went down? Maybe dasuki was funding them since he was a son of the caliphate without the Christians knowing right? Through people like the ex minister of defense Obanikoro... oh i just remembered minister of defense was also Christian.

The lives of people lost in the kano's emir's mosque bombing! How was it done? Mehn the time and effort they put into practice! Ofcourse all people in kano where in cahoots with the terrorists ofcourse due to the taqiyya that the guy down below mentioned.

Racoon:
Buhari government is on a grand ethno-religious and supremacist cleansing agenda.Only reasonable people can really sense it.

You're a notorious propagandist so no suprise here!

saaron:
When they say boko haram muslim terrorist kill more muslims than Christians, just know that it's a LIE from the pit of Hell! Remember, [/b]muslims are permited to lie (Taqiyya) for the advancement of Islam.
Taqiyya (Lies and Deception) is Islam's number 1 weapon of war![b]

[/font]Guy you're funny , i bet you're one of those who just hear about a bit of info and starts using it to sound smart and well aware about a subject he knows nothing about .... tell me about taqiyya pls what does it mean? And who practices it and i hope you know that there exists different sects in islam. Quote me an ayyah or an authentic hadeeth (thats if you know classifications of hadeeth). Infact ma do you even know how many Islamic sects there exists in islam? What's the difference btwn them? Indulge me ...please! [font=Lucida Sans Unicode]

[/b]Boko haram mostly target Christian communities in the North to exterminate Christians and pave way for Islamization.[b]

[/font]Hmmm.. So the muslims being killed are faking their own deaths or wht are you saying? [font=Lucida Sans Unicode]

[/b]Buhari's satanic fulani/Abba Kyari led regime, boko haram and fulani terrorist are all on the same team, fighting for the same goal which is complete annihilation of Christians in Nigeria for total implementation of Sharia. Already the devilish regime has imported THOUSANDS OF FOREIGN FULANI AND BOKO HARAM TERRORIST and station them in remote places all over the country. Their mission? To begin a campaign of MASS GENOCIDE of Christians through SECRET kidnap and murder throughout the country! The process (ISLAMIC JIHAD) has already began with being people abducted and murdered secretly as they go about their normal business. [b]

[/font]So how do they know muslims northerners from Christians? Is it written on the foreheads or do they carry posts reading i am a Christian?? Because as far as i know northerners wether muslims or Christians dress the same and share same cultures infact if i were to bring you a Christian from the north you can't differentiate him from the muslims unless you see him enter church or holding bible. [font=Lucida Sans Unicode]

If you think I'm just raising false alarm to fuel hate, then sorry for you.
Total division of Nigeria is the only way to secure our future and the future of our children.
ONE NIGERIA IS DEAD!

Stop spreading falsehood and propaganda! It does good to no one!