Fulani Herdsmen Attack Christian Village in Nigeria, Killing 12

Fulani herdsmen have attacked the predominantly Christian community of Tilengpan Pushit in Mangu County, Plateau state, central Nigeria, killing 12 Christians, mostly women and children. The victims were killed with "deadly weapons" without provocation, according to resident Israel Bamshak.

The ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt has significant implications for regional stability and religious freedom, highlighting the need for effective governance and conflict resolution. If left unchecked, these attacks could fuel further sectarian tensions and displacement, undermining Nigeria's fragile democracy.

Residents Monday Mwansat and John Musa confirmed the attack, with Musa stating, "Twelve members of our community have been killed. We have become targets of attacks from Fulani herdsmen for no just cause." Markus Artu, chairman of the Mangu Local Government Council, also attributed the attack to Fulani herdsmen.

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed sadness over the continued attacks, despite efforts to curb them, and appealed to Christians to remain steadfast. He promised to continue collaborating with security agencies to bring about security.

According to Open Doors' 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report, Nigeria remains the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The country also saw 3,300 kidnappings of Christians, the highest number globally. Nigeria ranked 6th in the 2024 WWL of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

While not all Fulani adhere to extremist views, some do, adopting a strategy similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP, with a clear intent to target Christians and symbols of Christian identity, according to a 2020 report by the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG).

Why this matters: Christian leaders in Nigeria believe that herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt are inspired by a desire to forcefully take over Christians' lands and impose Islam, as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. The ongoing violence is seen by many as a continuation of the historical jihad and Islamization agendas that date back to the 19th century, despite expert denials.

The recent attack in Plateau state, which claimed the lives of 12 Christians, underscores the ongoing persecution faced by Nigeria's Christian community. As Christian leaders and politicians call for recognition of the past as prologue to the present violence, the need for reconciliation and democracy in Africa's most populous nation remains as urgent as ever.

Key Takeaways

• Fulani herdsmen killed 12 Christians, mostly women and children, in Plateau state, Nigeria.
• The attack is part of ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt, threatening regional stability and religious freedom.
• Nigeria remains the deadliest place to follow Christ, with 4,118 killed for their faith in 2022-2023.
• Fulani extremists target Christians to take over lands and impose Islam, according to Christian leaders.
• The violence underscores the need for reconciliation and democracy in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation.