Nigeria: Fulani jihadists slaughter 41 people in pre-Christmas attacks on Kaduna state Christian areas
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Fulani jihadists in Nigeria’s Kaduna state murdered 41 people in a series of attacks on predominately Christian areas this month, Anglican Ink (AI) reports. The attacks have raised concern of even more intensified violence in these Christian areas during the run-up to Christmas.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Fulani militants killed 36 people in the Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities of the Kagoro Chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) during the night of December 18, AI reports. Homes and property were also destroyed.
One person was killed, and a number of people were injured or abducted during a Fulani militant attack on Ungwan Bawa village in Kachia LGA on December 16, AI reports. The wife and children of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) leader, Rev Yusuf Gan, were among those abducted; the pastor himself was severely beaten in front of his family before they were taken away.
Four people were murdered by Fulani jihadists during attacks on the Kamuru community in the Ikulu Ward of Zangon Kataf LGA on the evenings of 12 and 13 December, AI reports.
In a statement, CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “These renewed attacks are occurring in the run-up to the Christmas holidays, raising concerns of a possible campaign to disrupt the festive season in this predominantly Christian area. We urge the authorities to act now to ensure that security measures are in place for communities celebrating Christmas in their homes and churches and that communities that have already been targeted do not suffer repeated terrorist raids.”