A young Nigerian catechist who survived a near-fatal knife attack by extremists is to be honoured for his courage and steadfast faith.
At just 26, Tobias Yahaya from Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese, might be presented with Aid to the Church in Need’s (ACN) Courage to Be Christian award through the #RedWednesday Mass at London’s St George’s Cathedral, Southwark on 19 November.
Yahaya, a father of 4, was attacked in his home by militants who targeted him due to his Christian ministry.
He was stabbed within the chest while he slept, and doctors later revealed the knife missed his major arteries by mere inches.
Despite the trauma, Yahaya returned to his ministry inside three months — his third and most severe attack thus far.
“I’m most humbled and honoured to receive this award,” he said to ACN. “I dedicate it to God for His abiding presence, to my family for his or her limitless support, and to persecuted Christians all around the world.”
The assailants were later dropped at court, where it was revealed that they had sought to punish Yahaya for publicly witnessing to his faith.
Speaking to ACN Head of Press and Public Affairs John Pontifex, Yahaya described the fear he still feels when wearing his distinctive purple cassock — a visual symbol of his role as a catechist in Africa.
“Sometimes, once I placed on my cassock, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I stand firm due to my faith … We will do whatever it takes to share our faith.”
Tobias also shared that he brought the incident before God in prayer along with his wife and youngsters.
The Courage to Be Christian award, launched in 2023, recognises individuals who show remarkable courage amid persecution.
Past recipients include those that suffered from the Owo church bombing in 2022 in Nigeria, and Pakistani advocate for Christians facing persecution, Ribqa Nevash.
This 12 months’s ceremony will coincide with #RedWednesday, ACN’s annual global initiative spotlighting the plight of persecuted Christians.
Additionally, Tobias is backing ACN’s campaign to uphold Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — the suitable to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
He can be supporting the organisation’s appeal to governments and international organisations to take stronger motion in safeguarding and providing relief to communities of religion under threat worldwide.
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