Release International

Militants have beheaded a Christian in Nigeria during Christmas and New Year attacks, which claimed almost 30 lives. And in Iran, authorities have rounded up more than 20 Christian leaders as they gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ.

In three states in Nigeria, attacks by militants have left at least 28 Christians dead. On January 2, Fulani militants torched houses and killed 15 people in Ambe-Madaki village, Kaduna state. They killed ten others in Tattaura in the same area on December 27.

In Plateau state, Fulani gunmen killed three Christians in Kantoma village on New Year's Eve. They beheaded one villager, creating a wave of panic.

Release's partner in Nigeria, who cannot be named, received distress calls from villagers under attack asking for help. 'They said that unless help came, they could be exterminated completely.' The security services moved in to prevent further bloodshed, he added.

In Gombe city, Gombe state, a suicide bomber was prevented from riding a motorbike into a New Year's Day church service. The bomber detonated his suicide belt after being challenged by members of the Boys' Brigade, who were helping police to keep the church secure, according to Morning Star News.

The blast injured at least eight Christians guarding the Evangelical Church Winning All building.

The day before, according to news reports, a female suicide bomber attacked the military barracks in Gombe, and bombers blew up a bus in neighbouring Yobe state, killing seven.

The explosions are thought to be the work of Islamist militants, Boko Haram, who have declared an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria.

Mercifully, churches - often the target of Boko Haram bomb attacks - were spared over Christmas itself. And government-imposed travel bans in the north-eastern Borno and Yobe states may have helped reduce the expected violence over the Christmas period.

'Christians in northern Nigeria face attack on two fronts, by Fulani militants who want their land, and Boko Haram who want an Islamic state,' says Release Chief Executive Paul Robinson. 'Release is concerned that Boko Haram could step up attacks in the run-up to the Nigerian elections in February.'

Meanwhile, in Iran, the authorities arrested nine Christians in a raid on a house in Roudehen, west of Tehran, on Christmas Day. The next day, they arrested a prominent Assyrian pastor, Victor Bet-Tamarz, at his home, along with some 14 others who had gathered to celebrate Christmas.

Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi, who is serving a six-year sentence in Karaj, was given an additional one-year sentence on December 29. This was linked to the discovery of alcohol in Evin Prison, where he was previously detained.

'Iranian Christians call the regular roundup of believers at this time of year their "Christmas gift" from the authorities,' says Paul Robinson, of Release.

'What the attacks in Nigeria and the clampdown in Iran have in common is an attitude of brutal intolerance towards Christians and the belief that violent oppression can overcome God-given freedom of faith. The 2,000 year history of the church proves they are mistaken.'