Scores Killed In Nigeria After Massacres Of Christians

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ABUJA (Worthy News) – At least 70 people were killed and many others injured in north-central Nigeria as suspected Muslim “bandits” ambushed vigilantes in charge of protecting residents, Christians, and other sources said Tuesday.

Monday’s reported massacre in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State happened while vigilantes were on their way to “ identify bandits’ hideouts,” said Aliyu Baffa, who leads a vigilante group in the region.

“We have buried more than 60, as no fewer than 70 people were killed. Some escaped vigilantes confirmed that they were overwhelmed by the bandits,” Baffa told the media.

“The clash occurred just a kilometer [0.6 mile] away from the main Kukawa town, when the bandits ambushed the vigilante team. They were heading to a bandits hideout in the government reserve forest popularly known as Madam Forest which shares border with Bauchi and Taraba States,” Baffa said.

It was unclear how many Christians were among the victims, but Christians have often been singled out for attacks in several states of Nigeria, including Plateau.

News about the latest mass killings came after in the same Plateau State, at least six Christians were reportedly slain in the past week in Riyom County, the latest of 64 people killed in the area in recent weeks.

Five Christians were killed on Thursday, July 3, in Jol, and another was slain in Dangwal the previous day, residents of Jol, Rim, and Dangwal said. Fulani herdsmen, who are mainly Muslim, began attacking in the last week of June, they added.

ATTACKING JOL

The assailants attacked Jol from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time, said Zere Samuel.

“Mr. Francis Danjuma, a Christian from Jol community, was killed by the Fulani herdsmen,” Samuel told the Christian Daily International-Morning Star News news services, confirming accounts by residents.

Killed in the Jol raid were Gyang Mwanti and Precious Benjamin, “also victims of a cruel ambush against them by armed herdsmen in Jol community,” area resident George Lambert said in a text message.

In the attack on Dangwal village on July 2, a Christian woman was reportedly killed.

Area youth leader Zang Davou said thousands of people have been displaced, scores injured, and entire communities reduced to rubble in the past few months.

“These herdsmen in recent weeks have [also] killed 58 people and destroyed 82 homes in a spate of brutal attacks,” Davou told Christian Daily International. “In just a few weeks, 58 innocent lives were brutally murdered in cold blood – fathers, mothers, children, and youths.”

Another 31 Christians were wounded in the attacks and are receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries, struggling to survive amid a lack of medical supplies and adequate care, he added.

BIG MASSACRE

Additionally, after a large-scale massacre in Benue State’s predominantly Christian Yelwata village in Nigeria, four Christians were slain there in the same county, sources said.

“Four more Christians were killed by armed Fulani herdsmen in Tse Asha, Ukange, Adeor, and Udei communities on June 30,” area resident Samuel Tivta told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “In these attacks also, two Christians were injured, Nensha Adeor and Kator Gbenge. Both were attacked while working on their farms in Adeor village.”

Another Christian was kidnapped in Adeor village on June 26 and remains captive by herdsmen, Tivta added.

The assailants also burned down houses of Christian villagers and destroyed properties, said area resident Zege Orkwande.

Nigeria has been described as the most violent country for Christians, with thousands killed annually. Many more, including girls and women, are enduring kidnappings and sexual exploitation, rights groups say.

While disputes are often framed as a fight over land in rural areas, Christians say a variety of groups have attacked the Christian community in attempts to impose Sharia law, a strict interpretation of Islam. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under mounting pressure to improve security.

Advocacy group Open Doors ranks the African nation 7th on its annual World Watch List of 50 countries where it says Christians face the most persecution for their faith.

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