5 killed during attack on Bible study in Nigeria; 110 others kidnapped
Fulani herdsmen on Friday killed five Christians and wounded three others in an area of northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state where at least 110 others have been kidnapped in the past six months, sources said.
In Kajuru County, “Fulani bandits” on Friday attacked an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Bible study and prayer service in Kampani village, killing Victor Haruna, Dogara Jatau, Luka Yari, Jesse Dalami and Bawu John, said resident Philip Adams.
He identified those wounded as Samuel Aliyu, Philip Dominic and Jacob Hussaini. Residents said the attack at the church site took place at about 3:30 p.m.
“This is the present predicament of most communities within Kajuru and Kachia Local Council Areas in southern part of Kaduna state,” resident Happiness Daniel told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. “We constantly live in fear every day. We can’t sleep in our homes and we can’t go to farms.”
Kidnappings
Kajuru County has been the site of at least 110 kidnappings from the predominantly Christian villages of Bauda, Unguwan Yashi, Unguwan Mulki, Makyali, Ungwan Mudi Doka and Unguwar Rogo in the first six months of this year, residents said.
Fulani herdsmen raided Bauda on June 28, kidnapping village head Obadiah Iguda in Kufana District at about 1 a.m., they said. Stephen Maikori, a community leader and overseer of Kufana District, said Iguda’s kidnapping was one among dozens of other abductions of Christian villagers.
“This senseless act of violence has further deepened the atmosphere of insecurity and fear among the residents of Bauda and its surrounding communities,” Maikori said.
On March 12, Fulani herdsmen kidnapped 10 villagers from Unguwan Yashi, Makyali and Ungwan Mudi Doka villages, Maikori said. The attacks began around 2 a.m. in Unguwan Yashi-Maraban Kajuru, where six Christians were abducted, he said.
“In Makyali community, two Christian women were abducted, while two men also suffered gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment,” he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “The bandits struck at Makyali village at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12.”
In Ungwan Mudi Doka village, two more Christians were kidnapped on the same day, Maikori said.
“On the same day also, a pastor serving with ECWA Church was killed at Unguwan Mulki community,” he said. “This is in addition to the kidnapping of 38 Christians, but eight escaped, leaving 30 others who have remained in captivity.”
In Unguwan Yashi, Fulani herdsmen kidnapped God-Dream Ladan, Lady God-Dream, Philip Mudakas, Mercy Philip, Bitrus Philip and Gmen Philip, he said. In Makyali village, they kidnapped Rahina Yahaya and Zulai Yahaya, while in Ungwan Mudi Doka village, Amos Michael and Samita Amos, were kidnapped, he said.
Fulani herdsmen raiding Buda village on March 10 kidnapped 61 Christians, including women and children, he said.
