Fulani Herdsmen Kill Five Christians In Nigeria As Kidnapped Believers Remain Missing

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ABUJA (Worthy News) – Fulani herdsmen killed five Christians at a mining site in central Nigeria’s Plateau state, highlighting continuing attacks on Christian communities in Africa’s most populous nation, Christians say.

The five Christians killed Tuesday by the predominantly Muslim Fulani attackers were working at a mining site in the Gero area of Gyel village, in Jos South Local Government Area, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Christian news agency Christian Daily International-Morning Star News quoted local residents as saying the attack began around 3 p.m.

“This latest attack comes hours after terrorists attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, resulting in the death of three security personnel,” area youth leader Rwang Tengwong told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

“Gero village is located about five kilometers (three miles) from NIPSS. This underscores the alarming deterioration of security within the area and raises serious concerns about the safety of residents and critical national institutions,” he added.

PLATEAU STATE VIOLENCE

Tengwong said a similar attack on June 8 resulted in the death of a Christian in Gyel village. He identified the victim as Shedrack Dalyop, 36.

“The peace of the Gyel community was once again shattered when gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits laid siege and killed a resident while another Christian sustained injuries,” Tengwong said.

The latest killings come amid wider concerns about escalating violence targeting predominantly Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

Christian leaders have long accused armed Fulani militants of attacking farming communities, seizing land, and attempting to impose Islamist influence, allegations rejected by many Fulani leaders.

CHRISTIANS STILL CAPTIVE

Elsewhere in Nigeria, community leaders say about 100 Christians remain in captivity after Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 500 villagers from Ngoshe in northeastern Borno state in March.

At least four Christians were reportedly killed during the mass abduction, while some captives were forcibly converted to Islam and others subjected to extremist indoctrination, community representatives said.

Ibrahim Samaila Kaigama, a youth leader from southern Borno, said community leaders — not government forces — negotiated the release of 416 villagers through intermediaries and ransom payments.

“We have secured the release of 416 kidnapped persons from Ngoshe community,” Kaigama said. “We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”

GOVERNMENT DISPUTES CLAIMS

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said security forces helped secure the release of 434 abducted villagers and praised the military and other security agencies for their role.

The differing accounts underscore continuing tensions over the handling of mass kidnappings and militant violence in Nigeria’s northeast.

According to Christian advocacy group Open Doors, more Christians were killed in Nigeria than in any other country during the reporting period covered by its 2026 World Watch List.

Open Doors said 3,490 Christians were killed in Nigeria during that period, accounting for about 72 percent of all Christians killed worldwide because of their faith.

GROWING SECURITY THREAT

While millions of Fulani across Nigeria and the wider Sahel region reject extremism, analysts and Christian leaders say some armed Fulani groups have adopted tactics similar to those used by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The violence has increasingly spread beyond Nigeria’s Middle Belt, while jihadist groups remain active across northern states where Christians continue to face raids, kidnappings, sexual violence, and killings.

Open Doors has also warned about the emergence of Lakurawa, a new jihadist group in northwestern Nigeria reportedly linked to JNIM, an al-Qaida-linked insurgent movement that began in neighboring Mali and has expanded across parts of West Africa.

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