There, the Christians were “tied up and decapitated with knives.” According
to a regional expert, “This was not just an act of terror. It was a
targeted massacre of Christians, and it will not stop here… The ADF is
part of a growing extremist network that wants to wipe out Christianity
in the region. If nothing is done, more attacks will follow.” For his
part, a local church elder said,
“We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of
massacres. May God’s will alone be done.” The same Muslim militants
slaughtered another 355 Christians “for their faith” in 2024.
Nigeria: Some accounts of the “pure genocide” experienced by Christians at the hands of Muslims follow:
In the very early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 2, Muslim tribesmen
stormed a village, setting fire to homes and opening fire on Christians,
killing at least 16. Discussing this and other recent attacks, Edwin Ochai, president of a diaspora group from the area, said the Muslim terrorists were “leaving a trail of bloodshed, destruction and despair”:
The most recent attack in Okpamaju, a hitherto peaceful
community in Otukpo LGA, has claimed the lives of several innocent
villagers, reduced homes to ashes, and shattered families. We condemn in
the strongest terms the deafening silence and inaction of our leaders
at all levels – local government chairmen, state legislators, federal
representatives, and the senator representing Benue South.
On Feb. 5, Fulani herdsmen—referred to by locals as “Muslim bandits”—
“killed three Christians in Kaduna state, a week after three others
were slain in the same area.” They also kidnapped “dozens” of
Christians. According to spokespersons,
We suffered yet another devastating attack by bandits in
which lives were lost, and many more were left traumatized. We strongly
condemn this heinous act, which is a blatant disregard for human rights
and the safety of rural dwellers in our region. Has our government
turned a deaf ear to our plight? We demand urgent action and protection
for our communities!…. The killings and kidnappings by Muslim bandits
have become a daily routine in Kauru Local Government Area.
On Sunday, Feb. 9, Muslims from the Boko Haram terrorist organization murdered
a Christian pastor. The Rev. Bala Galadima was in his home when gunmen
in black robes broke in around 1 am and shot him to death while he still
lay in bed. “Our hearts are heavy, as we are left alone in a
complicated world with the killing of our pastor,” said one church member to Lami Sabo. “His courage, advice, teachings and generosity will be highly missed by us his church members.”
According to a Feb. 12 report, at least 22 Christians were killed in a series of Muslim attacks on Christian villages. “We are killed because we are Christians,” one resident insisted:
“Fulani are not attacking Muslim farmers in Plateau state, but
Christians are attacked daily, and we don’t have guns to defend
ourselves.” The report adds,
The Nigerian government has not officially attributed
these attacks to any ethnic or religious group, but media analysts have
drawn comparisons between these armed groups and Boko Haram, citing a
pattern of violence aimed at displacing Christian communities.
On Feb. 22, Muslim herdsmen stormed
into Elyon Paradise Ministry Church in Delta state, where they shot and
injured Pastor Divine Omodia and kidnapped six church members.
