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: Fulani herdsmen conflict has growing religious dimension – BBC
Following the shooting dead of two Catholic priests and over a dozen parishioners at a church in Nigeria’s Middle Belt last month, the BBC has visited the village and spoken to survivors. Fr. Joseph Gor and Fr. Felix Tyolaha were killed during the morning Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, in […]
Nigerian Christians ask UK to help bring ‘healing, forgiveness and reconciliation’
Nigerian Christian leaders met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria this week to ask for help in establishing a Truth, Peace and Reconciliation Commission to bring “healing, forgiveness and reconciliation to Nigeria”. The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), which met with Paul Arkwright in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on […]
Trump tells Buhari: ‘We cannot allow Christians to be murdered’
US President Donald Trump decried the killings of Christians in Nigeria as he met with the country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, in Washington yesterday (30 April). Nigeria has been plagued by violence attributed to Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and northeast. Benue state has been particularly affected, with attacks happening […]
Nigerian bishops call for Buhari to resign over church massacre
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has urged the country’s President to step down in the wake of a massacre at a church last week. Muhammadu Buhari is due to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington today (30 April) and is expected to discuss strategies for fighting terrorism. […]
Nigeria: 7 more killed in another Benue attack
At least seven people were killed after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked another church in Benue State yesterday (26 April). The attack came two days ago after the massacre of 19 worshippers, including two priests, at a Catholic church in Gwer West Local Government Area. In the early hours of yesterday […]
Nigeria: pressure on Buhari to act increases after latest massacre
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari – criticised for his lukewarm attitude towards the Fulani herdsmen held responsible for numerous attacks in the country – has come under more pressure to take decisive action following the latest massacre at a Catholic church in the Middle Belt state of Benue. On Tuesday (24 […]
97 missing Chibok girls feared dead
After relatives and activists commemorated on Saturday the 4th anniversary of the Chibok girls’ kidnapping, there are now fears that many of over 100 girls still missing will never return home. Of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram on 14 April 2014, 57 escaped, 107 were rescued or […]
Chibok abductions: ‘We are bitter, 112 girls are still in the hands of Boko Haram’
Saturday 14 April will mark the fourth anniversary of the abduction of 276 girls from a secondary boarding school in Nigeria’s north-eastern town of Chibok. At least 165 of them were believed to be Christian, according to a list of names and a statement released by the Christian Association of […]
Nigerian president assures UK archbishop of efforts to secure release of Christian girl
Following a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari has said his government is working “quietly” to secure the release of a teenage Christian girl kidnapped by Boko Haram. Archbishop Justin Welby, as well as Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Nigerian Archbishop Dr Josiah […]
Kidnapped Leah sends message home
Leah Sharibu, the Nigerian Christian girl still being held captive by Boko Haram, reportedly asked her released friends to pass her mother a message, which read: “My mother you should not be disturbed. I know it is not easy missing me, but I want to assure you that I am […]