Militants killed about 92 people and kidnapped more than 60 in one week in the predominantly Christian villages of Nigeria’s Plateau State.
On April 10, militants raided 10 villages that are mostly Christian, slaying at least 80 people and abducting more than 60, reports the relief group Barnabas Fund. Several communities were burned.
One mother and her children ran five hours in the dark to take refuge in neighboring Bauchi State.
A week prior, suspected Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 12 people during a cultural festival. Ten were slain at the Zrreci festival in Cando Zrreci village April 2, and two others were killed in nearby Ritivo village April 3. Twenty-eight suffered gunshot injuries in the two attacks.
Rising number of attacks
The Zrreci is a traditional event of the Irigwe, an ethnic group with a large Christian population. Fulani attacks upon the Irigwe have risen measurably since mid-2021.
A source told Barnabas Fund that the targeting of Christians in Plateau State and Kaduna State demonstrates a plan of “slow extermination” of Christians and their villages.
Nigeria is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
