Source: www.persecution.org
Date: February 17, 2022
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) –Fulani militants killed one person and burned down more than 45 homes in Zamandabo, a village in the Nigerian state of Kaduna on Feb. 8.
Survivor Justice Hilary told ICC, “The Fulani militants came in around 2:30 a.m. The village guards were outside doing patrol trying to secure their environment and then they heard gunshots from their boundaries. All our houses were burnt and our church was destroyed.”
Timothy Ishaya owned a store in the village that was targeted by the militants. During the attack, they raided his goods before lighting the building on fire. “They broke through my door and looted plenty of things and then set the rest ablaze,” he said. “They also went around and burnt all the rooms including the storage where I keep food items and other valuables.” He said they were speaking the Fulani language as they ransacked his store.
Another survivor, who requested anonymity said, "We were outnumbered. We didn’t prepare for war. We do not have the kind of weapons they have as we are peace-loving and accommodative people. When we heard the gunshots, we had to start evacuating the women and children instead of fighting back. We knew we can’t stand against them."
Government soldiers arrived after most of the damage was done. They repelled the attack but refused to go after the militants. The anonymous survivor added, “The government has not done anything to help us. The Fulani militants said they will come back but we have not seen soldiers put in place to protect us. Now the whole village is deserted, lonely, and quiet. Domestic animals are starving as there’s no one to look after them. This is very sad and inhuman.”
Nigerian Christians have long suffered at the hands of militants, who attack Christian communities with little fear of a government response. Kaduna is a particularly dangerous place for Christians. The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, is extremely hostile to Christian communities and has consistently endangered them during his time as governor.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for healing for all those affected by this attack. Pray for provision for those who lost their homes and businesses. Pray for the government to take greater action to address Fulani attacks.