Christians have called a London prayer vigil, to intercede for the rapidly deteriorating situation in Nigeria.

The call comes as embattled president Goodluck Jonathan seemingly tries in vain to crack down on Islamist militants who are terrorising and slaughtering Nigerian Christians.

And the head of state is also under major political attack from protestors determined to get him to back down from heavy rises of fuel duty.

The vigil has been called by ‘Love Jos’ and the Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians (OFNC) two groups of Nigerian believers in the UK, and comes in response to new reports of Christians fleeing to the south of Nigeria to escape attack from terror group ‘Boko Haram’.

The plan is to hold a candlelight vigil at 3pm today, as a sign of mourning for those who have died in the violence. There will then be a presentation of a letter to the High Commissioner for Nigeria at his central London Office, calling on the Government of Nigeria to do all it can to protect Christians in North and Central Nigeria.

Following the vigil at 7.30pm there will be a prayer meeting at nearby Custom House Baptist Church, where as well as praying for affected communities, there will be updates on recent developments, and a chance to discuss the way forward.

Boko Haram’s attacks have already seen scores of Christians die in bomb attacks and raids on churches, including a series of co-ordinated blasts on Christmas day.

Dr Albert Okoye of OFNC said: “There are now reports that Christians are fleeing their homes in the north for fear of further attacks.

“This situation is contrary to the stated aims of the Nigerian constitution to promote unity and against fundamental freedoms of worship and association, guaranteed in the constitution and international human rights legislation.

"The action by the Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians is designed to encourage Nigerian Christians and all those who want a peaceful Nigeria to pray for peace and work towards a country free of fear and conducive to unfaltering progress.

“Our objective has been immensely enhanced by the ‘knitting of hearts’ and remarkable support from leaders of Nigeria-led churches and Christian organisations in the UK.”