At least 24 people were killed in a community in Plateau State, northern Nigeria when militant members of the Fulani people group attacked the community on Tuesday.
People in BinPer Bwai community are mourning after the killing of at least 24 people. Others were injured in a deadly attack on August 18.
Reuters reports one of the injured victims later died bringing the death toll to 25.
The attackers were identified as militant members of the Fulani people group.
The militants initially tried attacking Murish, Jwak Maitumbi and Mairana communities in broad daylight on the 12th of August 2026. They arrived in large numbers, chanting ‘’Allahu Akbar’’ and shooting into the air while locals were on their farms. The attack was averted in Murish and Mairana through the joint effort of the local security network.
On the Monday night they attacked BinPer Bwai village in the middle of the night. They invaded the community between midnight on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday.
An Open Doors field contact confirmed the attackers moved from house to house and killing residents using machetes, killing mostly women and children in their sleep. They also destroyed people’s farmlands.
Where do Christians experience the
most persecution?
According to residents of the communities, the attacks happened while there were Nigerian soldiers within the community and surrounding communities. Women from the community protested after the attack, feeling frustrated and betrayed by the Nigerian Military forces in their villages who did not prevent the attack.
Punch reports “women, who came out in large numbers, held leaves as they marched through the community, lamenting the killings and calling for urgent government action to protect residents”.
This series of incidents have further heightened fear in residents who are rebuilding and resettling in their ancestral homes after the huge losses and displacements they had to endure in 2023.
Reuters reports the local group, the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, “accused authorities of failing to protect vulnerable communities and called for a review of security in the area”.
A mass burial was conducted on Wednesday, Punch reports.
The Persecuted Church
According to our local field contacts, the Mangu community is 99% Christian. These communities have suffered years of ongoing violence. These attacks cause obvious physical loss, but also emotional and spiritual trauma that have long lasting effects on families and communities.
“The attacks spreads fear, weakens social cohesion, hinders economic growth, and increases the burden on the church,” a local church leader explained. “Congregations often look at church leaders for emotional support and after large attacks the church leaders likely also in their personal capacity suffer losses while still supporting others.”
Pray:
- Pray that God will bring peace to Nigeria and all of sub-Saharan Africa.
- Pray that God will comfort those who lost their loved ones.
- Pray for justice for the victims and that the perpetrators will come to know Jesus.
- Pray for churches to be able to support communities physically and emotionally, but also for church leaders to stand strong in responding in biblical ways to the situation.
