by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Communities in Nigeria’s central Plateau state were grieving Wednesday after suspected Islamic gunmen killed at least eight Christians and injured 10 others in a series of coordinated overnight attacks, Christian sources said.
“The attacks were reported across Bassa, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas, forcing residents to flee their homes as gunfire spread through the affected communities,” explained advocacy group International Christian Concern, which closely followed the case.
The first incident was said to have occurred around 8 p.m. local time on Saturday in Kpasho, a community in the Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), where armed men reportedly ambushed four youth traveling on a motorcycle. “One person was killed at the scene, while another later died in the hospital. The other two sustained injuries and are receiving treatment,” ICC added.
About two hours later, attackers reportedly stormed the Hurum Gashish NTV community in Barkin Ladi LGA and opened fire on residents, according to Christians familiar with the situation. “Four people were killed, and five others were wounded in the attack,” ICC said.
In a third attack, which took place around 11 p.m. local time, gunmen “invaded the Shonong Bachi community in Riyom LGA, shooting sporadically and killing two people. Three others were injured,” the advocacy group explained.
ATTACK DETAILS
In published comments, Nanpet Dala, a volunteer with the International Community on Nigeria (ICON) group, said “security operatives” arrested four youth from the area and later described them as “terrorists,” a development that triggered a protest and road blockade by residents demanding their release and an end to the killings.
“Security operatives are very close to the place where the attack happened, but they intentionally refused to intervene,” Dala added.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible. However, investigators and rights groups say attacks against Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are often linked to Fulani extremist militants, as well as jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province, which operate in parts of the country.
“The latest attacks have left several families displaced and added to growing concerns among Christian communities in rural Plateau, where violence has continued to affect villages in the state’s Middle Belt,” ICC stressed.
Speaking in Jos, Plateau’s capital, Rwang Tenglong, national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, confirmed the attacks, saying “the affected communities were mourning their dead and supporting the wounded.”
SECURITY CONCERNS
He condemned the killings and said the injured victims had been taken to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Plateau State Police Command did not immediately comment, but authorities have come under mounting pressure to increase security for Christians in the region.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has previously condemned the killing of Christians in Nigeria, calling it “unacceptable” and urging authorities to do more to protect religious minorities.
Trump has warned he could order additional airstrikes on Nigeria if the killings continue, after previously authorizing strikes on suspected Islamist militants on Christmas Day last year in the country’s northern Sokoto state. “I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” he said.
In separate remarks last year, Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians and used the term “genocide” to describe the violence. “I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace,” he said. “They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide. And I’m really angry about it.”
TRUMP RESPONSE
Nigeria’s government rejected those accusations, saying that “Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike” are targeted by Islamist attackers.
Trump acknowledged that “Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.”
While persecution “is most acute” in northern Nigeria, attacks have increasingly spread to other parts of the country, according to Christian rights investigators.
Nigeria ranks 7th on the annual World Watch List (WWL) of Christian charity Open Doors, which tracks Christian persecution globally.
“Christians suffer significant and severe persecution – to such a degree that Nigeria has been the most violent place in the world for followers of Jesus for several years,” Open Doors said in the report seen by Worthy News.
PERSECUTION CONTINUES
“In northern Nigeria, 12 states have implemented Islamic law, creating a system where Christians live as second-class citizens, and conversion from Islam can be severely punished.”
Christians make up nearly half of Nigeria’s roughly 235 million people, researchers say.
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