Terrorists broke into Reverend Yakubu Shuaibu’s house during the night of 4 April. They also shot and injured his pregnant wife at Biu General Hospital. At the same time several Christian villages were raided, houses destroyed, burnt and burgled. 

Salamatu Billi, leader of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) expressed his deep concerns: “The hunt for Christians, especially ministers serving in the church, by terrorists in northeast Nigeria continues. This is the third EYN pastor to be killed in cold blood within a short time by these terrorists.”

Government of Benue State, Samuel Ortom confirmed that Fulani herdsmen killed 134 Christians from April 2 to April 10. Most of the murdered Christians were women and children, and thousands of the displaced are living in camps. Unfortunately they are not safe even there, because the terrorists often ambush camps and slaughter Christians. 

Dominic Anza, president of the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST) said: “Armed Fulani herdsmen have been attacking our Christian communities for years, but recently, these attacks became so intense that hardly any day passes without a community being attacked. My family’s house been burned down by the herdsmen, and all my relations have been displaced. It’s impossible for me to even attempt to visit my village, because these herdsmen have completely taken over the affected communities.”

“Christian villages like Ikpobi, Odugbo, Akpanta, Ologba and Oyiji have adversely been affected, as many Christians have been killed and many more displaced” said area community leader John Antenyi. “This has been going on over the years but became more pronounced this month of April”. 

Christians affected in the areas are mostly members of the NKST, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and Pentecostal churches, and they are now unable to hold worship services.

According to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report, Nigeria was leading in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014 deaths. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted, forcibly married, physically or mentally abused. It also had the most church attacks; homes and businesses raided for faith-based reasons. 

Source: https://www.christianheadlines.com/