For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.
“Fulani Herdsmen Kill Christians at Church Services in Nigeria,” Morning Star News, September 23, 2024:
ABUJA, Nigeria (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Fulani herdsmen in central Nigeria killed two Christians on Thursday and three others at church services the prior Sunday, when they also kidnapped a pastor and 30 congregation members, sources said. A band of armed herdsmen on Thursday (Sept. 19) attacked Kurmin-Kare village, a predominantly Christian community in Kachia County in southern Kaduna state, killing two Christians identified as Audu Bala and Jonathan Moses, said area resident Solomon Sanga. “Audu Bala and Jonathan Moses were working on their farms when these Fulani herdsmen waylaid them and shot at them,” Sanga told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “The two died instantly, while another Christian victim, Japheth Zarma Yakubu, was kidnapped on Sept. 10 also while he was working in his farm.” The assailants have phoned Yakubu’s family with a ransom demand of 30 million naira ($18,295 USD), he said. On Sept. 15 in Kajuru County, also in southern Kaduna state, Fulani herdsmen attacked an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation and a Catholic church as they worshipped in Bakinpah-Maro village, killing three Christians and abducting the ECWA pastor and 30 other Christians, area residents said. “The terrorists, whom we believe are armed Fulani herdsmen, attacked the churches during Sunday morning worship services, killing three Christians and kidnapping 30 more Christians, including the Rev. Bernard Gajere, the pastor of the ECWA church in the village,” Cafra Caino said. On Sept. 8 in predominantly Christian Kallah Afogo village, Kajuru County, suspected Fulani herdsmen at about 11:30 p.m. attacked the Primary Health Care Clinic, killing at least five Christians and kidnapping dozens of others, residents said in text messages. Benjamin Maigari, an area community leader, identified those killed as Garkuwa Alfarma, Buhari Maidiga, Uba Auta, Yakubu Gaku and Atabata Naallah. Hassan Mansur, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed the attacks in the areas and said officers and other security agency personnel were attempting to rescue those abducted. Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300. Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report….
