ICC Note: Deborah Shettima is one of the many victims of persecution by Boko Haram in Nigeria. The Islamic fighters not only killed her husband and son, but also kidnapped her two young daughters. She sought her family for help, but her family attempted to convert her back to Islam instead. Boko Haram was established in 2002, and their main purpose has been to oppose any form of Western-style education or religion, especially Christianity. The radical group has carried out several attacks against Christians, where they have persecuted and brutally murdered many innocents due to their faith.

9/21/2016, Nigeria (Gospel Herald) – A Nigerian Christian woman has refused to turn her back on her faith – even after Boko Haram militants murdered her husband and kidnapped her three children.

According to a report from persecution watchdog Open Doors USA, Deborah Shettima converted to Christianity from Islam and married her husband against the wishes of her family. Despite enduring threats and persecution at the hands of her neighbors and family members, Deborah refused to return to Islam.

Several years later, Boko Haram militants stormed her house, and shot and killed Deborah’s husband before kidnapping her two young daughters. When Deborah begged the fighters to leave her daughter, they simply shoved her to the floor, nearly paralyzing her. Three months later, the Islamic extremists reappeared, and this time killed Deborah’s only son.

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