Source: www.persecution.org
Date: April 29, 2021
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – At least seven civilians were killed, and many others seriously injured earlier this week when suspected Fulani Herdsmen attacked the Abagena community housing IDP camp in Benue State.
David Avese, a father of seven, and a victim of the attack receiving medical treatment in a hospital, told Naija news that one of his children was killed and three others shot during the assault.
“The herdsmen surrounded our village around 12am; they were about 10 in number, and they shot and entered people’s houses.” Avese told Naija News,
“They killed one of my children and shot three others. I have not seen my wife.”
Another victim, Gwabo Matthew told Naija News that, “They (herdsmen) operated for over two hours. The attackers were Fulani because they were speaking in Fulfulde language.”
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has accused the President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, of “working for these Fulani’s to take over the whole country.”
Ortom explained that at least 70 people have been killed in the past two weeks in Benue state, leaving citizens outraged. According to the Nigerian Daily Post, angry youths began protesting on Tuesday, and blocked the Makurdi-Lafia road with the dead bodies of victims.
“Mr. President must rise up; he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and over the 250 nationalities that are in this country; Mr. President is their President, we all voted him.” Said Governor Ortom,
“He has taken oath of office to secure the country and provide security for lives and property; this is unacceptable, this cannot continue.”
The Fulani Militia is the fourth deadliest terror group in the world and has surpassed Boko Haram as the greatest threat to Nigerian Christians. Many believe that the attacks are motivated by Jihadist Fulani’s desire to take over farmland and impose Islam on the population and are frustrated with the government that is believed to be enabling such atrocities.
Buhari, who was elected to his current office in 2015, has had a tenure marked by security troubles. Despite running on promises to end terrorism and communal violence—much of it religiously motivated—he has had only mixed success in creating stability and was forced to sack his security chiefs earlier this year amid widespread discontent with recent increases in violence. In addition, he seems to largely deny the religious component of the violence.
On December 7th, the U.S. State Department added Nigeria to their list of Countries of Particular Concern for tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.”
HOW TO PRAY: Please pray for peace in Nigeria, and for the Lord to comfort those grieving the loss of loved ones due to violence. Please also pray for the perpetrators of this attack, that they will be blessed with knowing the truth of the gospel and accept Jesus as their savior.