The Nigerian army has had some success subduing Islamist group Boko Haram, but Christians are still being killed in Nigeria. Many of the killings are carried out by nomadic Hausa-Fulani herdsmen, a largely Muslim ethnic group that frequently targets the more settled Christian farming communities of central Nigeria. Meanwhile, 12 of Nigeria’s northern states employ Sharia (Islamic law), and Christians in these states face discrimination and restrictions in accessing community resources, such as clean water, health clinics, and higher education.
Nigeria: Plateau attackers arrested, as Christians call for grazing ban
Many experts now report that ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen have attacked predominantly Christian farmers, has killed more people than Boko Haram. Now, after a period of relative calm, that violence has resumed in Plateau state, which has also witnessed the deadliest sectarian violence […]
Nigeria: Government failure and the spread of Fulani herdsmen attacks in Adamawa state
”I watched helplessly as the Fulani herdsmen killed people and burnt houses. They did this with glee on their faces. Numan [Local Government Area] and its environs belong to us. If the government cannot protect us, then we have no choice but to protect our land, our heritage and the […]
Nigeria: Northern Christian leaders claim government lacks political will to stop Fulani herdsmen’s impunity
Christian leaders in northern Nigeria have continued to lament the impunity with which Fulani herdsmen are attacking Christians in the region, especially in Plateau state, and the lack of political will by the federal government to stop it – in spite of their repeated calls. Last Thursday (30 November), at […]
Nigeria: Boko Haram survivor and her baby ‘shamed’
As Islamic extremist group Boko Haram continues to hold young women captive in West Africa, some have been rescued only to return to their homes in shame, finding themselves labelled “Boko Haram women”. Until October 2015 Esther* lived the normal life of a 17-year-old in Gwoza, a town in southern […]
Kidnapped optician ‘shot dead after singing Amazing Grace’
The British optician kidnapped and killed last month in Nigeria died in a hail of bullets after singing the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ to lift the spirits of his fellow hostages, two of them said. Ian Squire, 57, was killed instantly by shots fired by one of four gang members who […]
Nigeria: Fulani Christians call for peace as violence continues in Plateau
Fulani Christians in Nigeria have spoken out against the persistent attacks and killings attributed to Fulani herdsmen in the central state of Plateau, calling on them to embrace peace and shun all acts of violence. Rev. Buba Aliyu, chairman of the Fulbe Christian Association of Nigeria, led a contingent of […]
Persistent Fulani violence ‘indicates ethnic cleansing’ of Nigerian Christians
A new report detailing the sustained attack on Christian communities by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s central state of Benue concludes that the number and ferocity of incidents is evidence of ethnic cleansing. Further, signs of ethnic cleansing on Christian communities “are likely to become increasingly evident” in light of a […]
Christian Association of Nigeria asks President about Fulani violence
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the main umbrella organisation of the major Churches, has expressed concern to President Muhammadu Buhari over ongoing violence by Fulani herdsmen in the country’s Middle Belt states. Throughout September and October, repeated attacks against Christian communities left more than 75 dead, according to an […]
Nigeria: 9 dead as suspected Fulani herdsmen ambush Christians in Plateau
Nine Christians were shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s central Plateau State on Tuesday night (7 November), as they returned from a weekly village market. Four more were injured during the incident in the Riyom Local Government Area (LGA), which happened at around 7.30pm. Seven were killed instantly, […]
Nigeria: girl, 13, kidnapped to be converted to Islam, freed four days later
A pastor’s 13-year-old daughter, kidnapped in northeast Nigeria last week to be converted to Islam and married off, was released yesterday (5 November) after four days in captivity. Hauwa Dadi, from the village of Gashua in Yobe State, is the daughter of the former local secretary of the Christian Association […]