For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.
For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria from ChristianPersecution.com, see here.
“Fulani Herdsmen Attack Christians near City of Kaduna, Nigeria,” Morning Star News, December 12, 2021:
ABUJA, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Fulani herdsmen in northern Nigeria wounded a pregnant woman and set houses on fire on Saturday (Dec. 11) in attacks on predominantly Christian villages near the city of Kaduna, sources said.
Prompt action by the Nigerian army prevented further harm by heavily armed herdsmen who attacked Sabo GRA at about 1 a.m., said area resident Agwam Adams.
“The herdsmen tried to capture a Christian pregnant woman and her in-law, but the military rescued them,” Adams told Morning Star News by text message. “The woman sustained gunshot wounds on her leg. The attack in Sabo GRA is a serious one, but thank God for the prompt intervention from the Nigerian army.”
The herdsmen also attempted to kidnap another Christian family and, upon realizing their house was empty, set it ablaze, he said.
Police spokesman Mohammed Jalige confirmed the attack, saying there were about 30 assailants in military gear and bearing dangerous weapons. The area Kaduna Police Command received a distress call, and police and “other security agents” were dispatched, he said.
“The criminals on sensing the presence of security agents started shooting indiscriminately,” Jalige said in a press statement. “The operatives did not hesitate in returning fire for fire and succeeded in foiling the attempt. The criminals, frustrated by the police and other security agents, set residents’ homes on fire and fled.”
Dorcas Alex, a resident of Sabo GRA, told Morning Star News that when she heard the herdsmen’s gunshots, she phoned a military patrol team.
“I’m truly angry about the state of insecurity in Kaduna state,” Alex said. “Christians are no longer safe. We are traumatized by the incessant attacks on our people by these herdsmen.”
Jalige said that a simultaneous attack on Oil village, near Sabo, unfortunately resulted in the kidnapping of a woman and her four children. Oil village residents sent text messages to Morning Star News during the attack.
“Oil village and Sabo GRA, Christian communities, are under attacks from Muslim Fulani herdsmen right now,” read one message from Oil village resident Rita Usman.
Another predominantly Christian village, Unguwar Gimbiya, was also attacked in the wee hours of Saturday (Dec. 11), said village resident Maryam Kokwain. Area resident Barnabas Yohanna said it had been attacked several times in recent months.
“My church elder was killed on the night of Friday, Dec. 3, by herdsmen terrorists,” Yohanna said. “He was murdered in cold blood by terrorists who raided Ungwar Gimbiya. Fifty other Christians were kidnapped.”…
Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians’ lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
