Suspected herdsmen ambush and kill 3 Christians in Nigeria

Fulani Herdsmen Kill Three Christians in Benue State, Nigeria

Last week, Fulani herdsmen carried out deadly attacks in Benue state, central Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of three Christians, according to local reports.

Otukpo Local Government Council Chairman Alfred Omakwu revealed that the herdsmen killed a Christian in Otukpo County’s Entepka village on Saturday, following the murders of two others on April 18 in the Entepka District’s Adoka-Icho community.

“The two were ambushed and shot by the herdsmen,” Omakwu told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

In addition to these recent attacks, suspected Fulani herdsmen also killed three Christians in Onipi village on March 19 and in Okakpoga village on March 12, Omakwu stated.

The herdsmen have reportedly raided nine predominantly Christian villages in March and April, including Udabi, all in Entekpa District. Omakwu mentioned that Christians displaced by the attacks have sought refuge at St. Charles Primary School, owned by the Roman Catholic Church.

Andrew Mamedu, the country director of Action Aid, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to address the ongoing assaults on Christian communities in Benue. He highlighted that approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced as a result of the attacks.

Nigeria has been identified as the deadliest place in the world for Christians, with 4,118 individuals killed for their faith from October 2022 to September 2023, according to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List report. The country also witnessed the highest number of kidnappings of Christians and attacks on churches and Christian buildings.

The Fulani herdsmen attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region have been linked to their desire to seize Christian lands and impose Islam, as desertification has made it challenging for them to sustain their herds.