Ambushed by Neighbors
The assailants who attacked Solomon and his father, Inoma, were not militant Boko Haram insurgents who would sweep down from the north; nor were they Muslim Fulani herdsmen who had a penchant for attacking Christians. They were neighbors. Muslim men whom the father and son knew and saw each day suddenly began shooting at them. Like fish in a barrel, Solomon and Inoma darted left and right seeking some sliver of cover. Bullets ricocheted everywhere. Other men wielding machetes joined in the attack. Even if the father and son had been armed, it still would not have been a fair fight.
Tragic Loss and Unwavering Faith
A machete slammed down between Inoma’s head and shoulder. The left side of his torso collapsed. He died instantly. Seconds later, shocked, Solomon stopped and stared at his father’s killer. “We will not cut you if you turn back to Islam,” stated the young man, bloody machete in hand. “I will not,” said Solomon. “You are Christian. Where are you going? This is the end of the road. You have only one choice left: follow Islam.” “No,” repeated Solomon. Immediately, he felt liquid splash across his back. Gasoline fumes almost choked him. “Now will you leave this Jesus for Allah?” the killer asked. “I will not.”
Survival Amid Flames
A blow to the back of his head knocked Solomon to the ground. Another attacker revved up a motorcycle and rode it onto Solomon’s back, got off, and laid it—engine still running—on top of him. The attackers then ignited his gasoline-soaked shirt. Pinned to the ground by the weight of the motorcycle, Solomon could not escape the flames. Sometime later, his mind foggy and body racked by pain, Solomon vaguely remembered being placed inside a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the agonizing, bumpy ride on snake-like roads to the hospital. Solomon lived, but his back—even after numerous skin grafts—looks like scorched leather. Doctors have said his pain will never completely go away.
To be continued…
Date: 4th October 2025
Martyr: Solomon
Location: Nigeria
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs ‘I am n’
Author: Not specified
Suffering Saturday 163
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