Islamic extremists killed a pastor in northeast Nigeria, and extremists in the country’s middle belt state of Benue killed 134 Christians the first week of April, Morning Star News reported.
Pastor Yakubu Shuaibu of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria was killed in Borno State by extremists from the Islamic State West Africa Province who on the night of April 4 reportedly broke into his house. They also allegedly shot and wounded his pregnant wife, who was taken to hospital for treatment. The pastor is also survived by another child.
Extremists also attacked predominantly Christian villages at the same time the pastor was slain, Morning Star News reported.
Deadly week
In Benue state, in Nigeria’s middle belt, Fulani herdsmen killed 134 Christians from April 2 to April 10, said Benue Gov. Samuel Ortom in a press statement.
“Within one week, 134 Christians have been killed by herdsmen,” he said. “This apart from the fact that of the 23 local government areas of the state, 18 of them have been ravaged by herdsmen attacks, and most Christians in these council areas displaced.”
In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
