Five years ago, during Nigeria’s long and bloody war against Christians, Baby Ruth became a living symbol of hope. Now, her story of survival, faith, and family resilience is an inspiration to other Nigerian Christians who have experienced barbaric attacks.
Ruth was born in 2021, the same year that her home village of Mayanga, northwest of Jos in Plateau State, was shelled by heavily armed Fulani Muslim militants.
Early on that tragic morning, gunshots echoed across the hills as villagers fled for their lives. Her mother, Hannatu, was among them, running through the darkness with two-month-old Ruth in her trembling arms.
Trapped near a swollen river, she begged her attackers to spare her baby’s life. They ripped Ruth from her hands, killed Hannatu on the spot, and left the crying infant in the mud. Shortly after, Ruth’s family and several other relatives were also shot. Ruth and her grandmother were the only survivors that night.
Out of the ashes of fear, God’s grace shone. Ruth was rescued by survivors who found her cold and covered in mud at dawn, but miraculously alive. She was taken in by Danjuma John, a local builder, and his wife, Taratu Danjuma, Hannatu’s sister.
The Danjumas, who already had children of their own, opened their home and heart to Ruth and treated her as one of their own. “We know how important children are,” Taratu said quietly. “That’s why we took her in to live with us. We thank God for allowing us to care for them. It hasn’t been easy, but we believe God will continue to guide us.”
Faith is what sustains them through the storms of life.
For the Danjuma family, faith keeps them going through the storms of life. They too faced similar tragedies. In June 2024, Taratu lost her brother in a new attack on her village.
“Five members of our family were killed by the Fulani militia,” she recalled tearfully. “Ruth and her grandmother are the only survivors. Now, my grandparents are the only ones left in the village. We have suffered many attacks over the years, but we continue to have faith in God, because everything that has a beginning must have an end.”
Their home in Jos now provides Ruth with security and love, but the memories of her loss still linger. Danjuma said persecution has shaped their faith. “It made us stronger,” he said. “It has brought us closer to God. We pray not for revenge, but for forgiveness so that the attacker can find Christ. Only God can change a person’s heart.”
Despite the challenges, it has been a joy to watch Ruth grow. She currently attends ECWA Primary School in Jos, Cabon State, where her teacher Regina Adu describes her as a calm and curious child.
“Ruth is a calm and kind person,” Adu said. “She’s a little weak in studies, probably because of what she’s been through, but I’m sure she’ll improve. She’s learning to write well and we’re working on her English. She’s a good kid with a bright future.”
She loves to sing in Sunday school, especially hymns about God’s love.
Ruth’s parents say she loves singing in Sunday school, especially hymns about God’s love. The Danjumas have helped Ruth understand forgiveness and hope in Christ, even though she is too young to fully understand the meaning of her loss.
“She may not remember what happened,” Taratu said. “But we are making sure that she grows up knowing that God loves her deeply.”
Communities surrounding Jos remain under threat. The Middle Belt region, which straddles Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states, has long been a hotbed of religiously motivated violence. Hundreds of Christian villages have been attacked by Fulani militants, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee, local observers said. Entire communities were destroyed overnight, churches reduced to rubble and children orphaned.
Gata Moses, a community activist who works closely with families like the Danjumas, explained that Ruth’s story is not unique.
“This is the reality for many Christian children in Nigeria,” he says. “They have seen their parents murdered and their homes destroyed. The violence is systematic, a kind of genocide. Yet the government remains silent. We are crying out for the world to see our pain and help us.”
Their greatest prayer is peace.
For Ruth’s adoptive parents, their greatest prayer is peace and educational opportunities for the next generation. “We plead for assistance with Ruth’s schooling,” Taratu said. “We want her to learn and one day become someone who can help others. We were not able to finish our education due to hardship, but we believe that given the opportunity, Ruth can go further.”
Despite the uncertainty, their faith remains steadfast. They continue to meet each night for prayer, thanking God for His provision and asking for strength to endure.
Danjuma said, “We have lost a lot, but we also know that Christ is with us. Persecution reminds us that this world is not our home. Persecution teaches us to rely completely on God.”
I know God still has a purpose for us.
Ruth’s recovery has also been a healing journey for her relatives. Her grandmother, who almost died, visits her often and tells her stories about her late mother. “She calls me ‘mama’ and hugs me every time I come over,” the old woman said. “When I see her smile, I know God still has a purpose for us.”
Today Ruth turned 5 years old. She still shows signs of her physical suffering, and her legs were once malnourished, but with proper treatment, she has grown stronger. With the help of generous Christians and humanitarian partners, the Danjumas receive food, clothing, shelter and medical assistance from International Christian Concern (ICC) to keep Ruth healthy and in school. But like many families in the Middle Belt, they still live with the fear of renewed violence.
“Sometimes we hear gunshots coming from nearby villages,” Taratu said. “It reminds us of those dark days. But we trust in God. He has brought us this far and He will not abandon us now.”
Please pray for persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
As the Danjuma family continues their journey of faith and rebuilding, their message to the world is simple. That means praying for Christians who are being persecuted in Nigeria. I pray for peace in Plateau State. Pray for children like Ruth, orphans of violence who long for an opportunity to grow in love and faith. And pray for the attackers that their hearts will be changed by God’s grace.
“We say thank you,” Taratu concluded, her eyes filled with both sadness and hope. “May God change the hearts of those who are doing this so we can enjoy peace again. We believe that one day all tears will be wiped away.”
Originally published by International Christian Concern. Republished with permission.
Since 1995, International Christian Concern has worked to bring relief to persecuted and needy Christians. They work with trusted partners on the ground to develop and implement both immediate and long-term support projects. and oversees projects to ensure fidelity to Biblical principles and wise management of funds. They continue to work in Nigeria, helping local brothers and sisters in Christ overcome continued attacks from Islamic extremists.
For nearly 30 years, the ICC has developed a unique approach focused on advocacy, advocacy, and awareness. They exist to bandage the wounds of persecuted Christians and build churches in the most difficult parts of the world. Download the ICC Primer to explore and share an overview of their ministry and the phenomenon of global persecution. here.
