A group of Muslim boys then ordered about 10 Christian high school students, including Alhassan, to crawl on their knees. The Nigerian government has struggled to curb violence in the northern region plagued with Islamic terrorism, attacks by Muslim herdsmen, and mass kidnapping. Multiple school kidnappings and the June massacre of Christians in Benue state shook faith in the government’s response. Most residents who join the program are Christian converts, but some are Muslims who say they are open to hearing about Jesus. Now, the center accepts only students recommended for admission by “guardians”: pastors, Christians, and church organizations.