17 Christians Killed In Nigeria’s Plateau State
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ABUJA (Worthy News) – Predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed a Christian woman in a village in Nigeria’s Plateau State—the latest of 17 Christians slain in the area since July 15, local sources said Tuesday.
Christians said the herdsmen raided Njin village in the state at about 10 a.m. local time on Monday, August 4.
“Fulani herdsmen are at it again,” said resident Dorcas Ishaya in a message to Christian news service Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “This morning at 10 a.m., Monday, August 4, they attacked Njin village in the Kopmur area of Mushere chiefdom, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing a Christian woman.”
Area resident Ezekiel Tongs added in a message that the assailants robbed and torched properties.
“These herdsmen did not just attack the village but also carted away domestic animals from houses of Christians,” Tongs said. “Many houses have been burned down, and many Christians displaced.”
Nigerian troops were reportedly dispatched to the area.
Ishaya also said that two Christians were shot and killed in an ambush in the Bokkos area on July 15, “and their bodies burnt to ashes.”
FULANI HERDSMEN
A community leader from the area, Yohana Margif, said Friday that armed Fulani herdsmen have driven Christians from nine villages that they are now occupying.
“The Fulani terrorists have set up tents in our lands on which their cattle are grazing, which is visible for everybody to see,” he said in a press statement. “They have built tents and are openly carrying guns around. They have practically and brazenly usurped our lands and livestock.”
He identified the occupied villages as: Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor, Margif, Chirang, and Mangor.
“Now that the terrorists’ identity is known, let the relevant government authorities direct the security agencies to go after them, so that our people can return to their ancestral homes,” Margif said.
In Mangor village, 14 Christians returning from a market in Bokkos town were ambushed and killed by armed herdsmen on July 24, residents said.
“At about 4 p.m., 14 Christians from our area were ambushed and killed by Fulani terrorists,” area resident Kefas Mallai said. “Three other Christians were injured in the attack, which occurred at Mangor village as they were returning from Bokkos town market.”
A community leader from the Bokkos area, Farmasum Fuddang, corroborated the account of the 14 slain Christians.
CHRISTIAN VICTIMS
“The Christian victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed,” Fuddang said in a press statement. “Victims included women and little babies.”
Thousands of Christians are among those killed annually in Nigeria, which has been described as one of the most violent nations for Christian believers.
“More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world,” said advocacy group Open Doors.
“Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria, and Christians are particularly at risk from targeted attacks by Islamist militants, including Fulani fighters, Boko Haram, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). These increased under the rule of former president Muhammadu Buhari, putting Nigeria at the epicenter of targeted violence against the church.”
The government’s failure to protect Christians and punish perpetrators has only strengthened the militants’ influence, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
“While Christians used to be vulnerable only in the Muslim-majority northern states, this violence continues to spread into the Middle Belt and even further south. The attacks are shockingly brutal. Many believers are killed, particularly men, while women are often kidnapped and targeted for sexual violence.”
Nigeria ranks 7th on the Open Doors annual World Watch List of 50 nations where Christians face the most severe persecution for their faith.
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