Nigeria: Over 100 Dead in Latest Killing Spree
Over 100 people dead following coordinated series of attacks on Christians in Nigeria
Over 100 have been killed, and thousands more have been displaced over the course of a week in late May following a coordinated series of armed attacks led by militants from the Fulani people.
It’s believed that much of the violence is revenge for a local bishop who testified to the US Congress about the ongoing violence in the region.
The violence began over the weekend of 24 and 25 May. A string of gun attacks in Benue State, Central Nigeria, by Fulani militants, left more than 40 dead in Gwer West, part of Makurdi Diocese.
In Taraba State, an armed motorcycle convoy stormed homes in a 2am assault on Saturday morning. It is thought 42 were killed. In Plateau State, details are still emerging of Fulani militant killings in Bokkos County, south of Jos. In all, over 5,000 people are thought to be displaced.
“This is horror, this is terror,” Fr Oliver Ortese of Makurdi Diocese, Benue, told the media this week. “You cannot imagine the reality we live in here.”
On Sunday, 20 more were killed in shootings in Aondona and Ahume, and in a further attack on Yelewata village. The jihadist assault continued into Monday; gunmen returned two of the villages, taking aim and shooting survivors on sight. By Tuesday, the local government chairman confirmed over 40 dead. Searches for lost family members continued into Wednesday.
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Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa need to know that their Christian family stands with them. As part of Open Doors’ Arise Africa campaign, you can sign the Leaves of Healing petition, calling on the global community to ensure that Christians and other vulnerable individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa are treated with dignity and respect.
The villages targeted are in the Makurdi Diocese, the diocese of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe. The bishop gave testimony to the US Congress about the violence in the region, and attracting global attention.
Bishop Wilfred’s testimony “drew threats from both some Islamic groups and the government,” according to Moses Aondover Iorapuu of Makurdi Diocese, adding “We suspected there would be an aftermath.”
John Samuel, Open Doors legal expert for sub-Saharan Africa notes that “When the very diocese whose bishop courageously testified suddenly finds itself burying scores of its people – including from his own village – serious questions are raised. Many don’t feel safe anymore, only because they identify as Christian.”
“Jumped out of their homes, into the bush”
Nearly 400 kilometres away, in Taraba State, in the early hours of Saturday morning, residents of the ‘Munga villages’ awoke to the roar of motorbikes and gunfire. Armed jihadists opened fire as families in three villages attempted to flee in the night.
“We didn’t know where to run to,” said Soja Emmanuel, a survivor. “They came around 2am, shooting sporadically. People jumped out of their homes into the bush. Some didn’t make it.”
“We counted 42 corpses before noon on Saturday. This is beyond anything we’ve seen before,” a soldier involved in rescue work told national newspapers. The exact death toll in Taraba remains uncertain.
Jihadists return to kill mourners: Plateau
Further reports of violence in Bokkos County, Plateau State, began surfacing on Wednesday.
It’s understood dozens of Christians are trapped in forests and mountain hideouts, unable to escape as armed Fulani units roam between villages south of Jos, shooting civilians.
Local government officials described a series of attacks beginning on Sunday 25th, which have left nine dead so far. It’s understood a mass burial in Kopmur village, on Wednesday, came under fire when gunmen returned to attack mourners at the graveside.
“Christian persecution in Nigeria has reached such levels that observers struggle to fully document each atrocity before the next begins."
At the time of writing, terror alerts are in force across Plateau State. It is not clear whether security agencies have quelled the violence.
“Christian persecution in Nigeria has reached such levels that observers struggle to fully document each atrocity before the next begins,” notes John Samuel.
“Accountability remains scarce for these grave violations of the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and freedom. The Nigerian government is failing to protect Christians who are killed in indiscriminate attacks. We call on the Nigerian government to do everything in its power to protect vulnerable Christian communities.
“We call on believers worldwide to lift up in urgent prayer those struck down in this unimaginable suffering.”
Pray
Will you pray for your persecuted family in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Pray that God comforts the grieving families of those killed
- Pray that the authorities recognize the severity of what is happening and take appropriate action
- Pray that God will work miracles in the hearts of the extremists and help them know him.
Add your name to the Arise Africa Leaves of Healing petition and show your persecuted family you stand with them.
