In Benue state, Nigeria, a group of Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists carried out a deadly attack on Sunday (July 16), resulting in the killing of six Christians. This incident adds to the escalating violence in the region, where a total of 37 Christians have been brutally murdered over the past three weeks, according to sources.
The assailants arrived on motorcycles at two predominantly Christian villages, namely Igba-Ukyor and Tse Baka villages in Ushongo County, around 8 p.m. On that fateful evening, they launched their assault. First, they attacked Igba-Ukyor village, claiming the lives of five Christians, before proceeding to the second village, Tse Baka, where they killed another Christian, as reported by Ushongo resident Bemgba Iortyom.
Earlier, on July 8, two other predominantly Christian communities in Ukum County, named Zaki Akpuuna and Diom villages, were also attacked, resulting in the massacre of 30 Christians. These attacks occurred at 11 a.m. and involved a group of about 20 terrorists, heavily armed and riding motorcycles. They unleashed violence and destruction, burning down several houses. The authorities recovered 30 bodies of Christians who were killed during this attack, and efforts to locate missing Christians are still ongoing, as stated by Kartyo Tyoumbur, the Ukum council chairman.
The victims in Zaki Akpuuna were members of the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST) and the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the names of the slain individuals were provided, including Kator Terwase, Aondowase Kator, Albert Tsavnongo, Mbaalumunga Felix, Terzungwe Kartyo, Hangeior Agudu, Terkimbi Umough, Ushahemba Akerchi, Friday Ezekiel, Terwase Mkoholga, Ayu Ageva Vaakaa, John Ikpor, Bem Shima, Vanger Kwaghkaa, Shaagee Tyokaa, Mfedoo Mamfe, Koholga Sase, Iorlumun Dai, Kwaghmande Mngueorga, Msugh Terwase, Ngutor Oraduen, Iortange Uye, and Aker Orgema.
In another incident on June 30, in Tse Anwhwan village, Logo County, a Christian was killed and two others were wounded during an ambush at 8 p.m. Council Chairperson Salome Tor reported that armed men launched a surprise attack, opening fire on the victims. One member of the NKST church, Mr. Saater Apera, lost his life, and two other Christians were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Nigeria has experienced a troubling trend of violence against Christians, as evidenced by Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. In 2022, Nigeria topped the list for the highest number of Christians killed for their faith (5,014). The country also led in other alarming statistics, such as Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically and mentally abused, as well as having the most faith-based attacks on homes and businesses. Additionally, Nigeria ranked second in church attacks and the number of internally displaced people.
Given the increasing difficulty for Christians in Nigeria, the country rose to sixth place in the 2023 World Watch List of countries where it is most challenging to be a Christian. The rise from seventh place the previous year signifies the severity of the situation.
The violence in Nigeria is perpetuated by various groups, including the Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups conduct raids on Christian communities, resulting in killings, maiming, rape, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery. The violence has even spread to the Christian-majority regions in the south of the country. Despite these atrocities, the Nigerian government continues to deny religious persecution, leading to a lack of accountability for violations of Christians' rights.
It is important to note that while the Fulani people, predominantly Muslim, consist of many different lineages and most do not espouse extremist views, there are factions among them that adhere to radical Islamist ideology. These groups adopt strategies similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP and specifically target Christians and symbols of Christian identity, as highlighted in a report by the United Kingdom's All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) in 2020.
Christian leaders in Nigeria have expressed their belief that the attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt region are motivated by the desire of some herdsmen to forcefully take over Christian-owned lands and impose Islam. The situation is compounded by desertification, which has made it challenging for the herdsmen to sustain their herds in traditional grazing areas.
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