Fulani Killer Militia: Series Of Attacks Devastates Nigeria’s Plateau State AUGUST 04 , 2021 | EASTERN PILOT Report By: Addison Parker | Int...
Fulani Killer Militia: Series Of Attacks Devastates Nigeria’s Plateau State
AUGUST 04 , 2021 | EASTERN PILOT
Report By: Addison Parker | International Christian Concern | Nigeria
Villages in Nigeria’s Miango District came under a series of severe attacks on Saturday, July 31, by men identified by locals as Fulani Militants. The Irigwq Development Association, (IDA), released a press statement on Sunday reporting that 250 houses were burned down during the “unhindered and undistracted” attacks.
“About seven people were killed, while several others were injured and are receiving treatment at some undisclosed hospitals,” read the statement. “Over 40 hectares (approx. 100 acres) of farmland with a variety of crops were completely destroyed beyond resurrection and growth. Several household items and domestic animals were carted away.” An ICC contact visited the devastated areas and confirmed the attacks, adding that 9 people survived gunshot wounds, while more than 22,000 people were displaced.
“We call on the international community to come to our aid,” said the local ICC contact, “The Nigerian government has betrayed us and allowed us to fall under the mercy of guns because of our faith.” “The military cannot help by containing the situation, but they were rather on the side of the Fulani (militants),” he added, “The house of the chief of Jebu Miango was burned down along with scores of other houses. It was burning spree for the marauders while the security watched without saying anything. Please pray… as we are helpless.”
Father and 7-Year-Old Son Beheaded by Jihadist Herdsmen
ICC has also confirmed an attack reported by Punch Newspapers of an incident yesterday where a father and son were killed by men suspected to be Fulani Militants. “The victims identified as Thomas Wollo, 46, and Nggwe Thomas, seven, were said to have been attacked and beheaded by some herdsmen close to their home in Tafigana village, Bassa LGA, while returning from a choir practice at about 8.50pm on Sunday,” said the news source.
The perpetrators of the attack were said to have disappeared into the bush afterwards and have not been found. Zongo Lawrence, the spokesman for Miango Youth Development Association, stated that later that day millions of naira (Nigerian currency), worth of farmland were also destroyed in a nearby village. “Seventeen of our people have been killed by Fulani herdsmen this year,” Lawrence said in a statement. “The international community should come to our aid; we are under heavy siege.” “As a people, we are continuously under attack and nobody seems to be hearing our cry for help,” said the President of Irigwe Youth Movement, Mr Chinge Dodo. “It appears that killing our people has become a routine.”
3,462 Christians Killed in Nigeria in 200 days, 3000 Abducted, 300 Churches Attacked
The International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), a nonprofit based out of Nigeria, has released a report in which they say that roughly 3,462 Christians have been killed already in 2021 by Fulani militants and Boko Haram throughout Nigeria. In addition, 3000 Christians have been abducted, while 300 churches and ten priests have been attacked.
The report states that “The Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen are responsible for majority of the killings with at least 1,909 Christian deaths in 200 days, followed by Boko Haram, ISWAP and Muslim Fulani Bandits who jointly killed 1,063 Christians, while Nigerian Army, joined by the Nigeria Police Force and other branches of the Armed Forces accounted for 490 Christian deaths. The 3,462 Christian deaths include additional 300 deaths representing Christian deaths arising from deaths in the captivity of the jihadists, on average of three deaths out of every 30 Christians abducted and disappeared and another additional deaths of 150 technically representing ‘dark figures of crime’.
The number of Churches threatened or attacked and closed or destroyed or burnt since January 2021 is also estimated to be around 300 with at least ten priests or pastors abducted or killed by the jihadists. It is deeply saddening that till date those responsible for the anti Christian butcheries in the country have continued to evade justice and remained unchecked, untracked, uninvestigated and untried; leading to impunity and repeat-atrocities. The surviving victims and families of the dead victims are also totally abandoned by the Government of Nigeria. The Nigerian Government has continued to face sharp criticisms and strong accusations of culpability and complicity in the killings and supervision of same.”
Please continue to pray for the grieving friends and family of those who have been killed in Nigeria, and for the government to gain wisdom and motivation to protect its Christian citizens. Please also pray for the world to recognize the scale of the suffering that believers endure in the country, as well as for the souls of those who persecute the church, that all will repent and find salvation in Christ.
Jihadists Attack Funeral of Boy they Killed, Terrorize Christian Community
Last week, Celina Ishaku’s son was murdered by Fulani Militants, the same Jihadist group that killed her husband two years ago. While Celina was burying her son the day after his death, an ICC contact in attendance reported that Fulani Militants attacked once again, shooting mourners at the funeral.
“Fulani (militants) killed my husband two years ago and burned down my house,” Celina told ICC through tears, “My farm was destroyed three days ago, now my son is killed, and my house burned down again.” The attack occurred July 28th at Nche-Tahu and Zanwra villages in Plateau State’s Miango District. Over 30 farmlands were destroyed and 10 houses burned down by the radical Muslim herders , while over 100 animals were stolen along with other valuable belongings.
“Sadly, we lost 3 vibrant and enterprising youths to Fulani militia attacks and ambushes at Zagwra amidst destruction of many farms crops,” said Nuhu Nga, the Publicity Secretary of the Miango Youth Development Association. “May God comfort us all and may the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace”. “From all indications, the enemy won’t stop,” continued Nga. “It’s our desire and prayer that God in whom we trust should bring an end to this, as it is evident that the government and the security agencies are just as helpless as we are.”
Despite the narrative being spun that the conflict between Christian farmers and militant Fulani herdsmen is simply a dispute over resources, it has become evident by the level of hostility that these Fulani-led attacks are religiously motivated. The Fulani Militia has now surpassed Boko Haram as the greatest threat to Nigerian Christians and have killed the majority of the over 3,460 Christians who have already been murdered in 2021. Please pray for Christian communities around Nigeria that are suffering from the devastation of militant groups intent on driving them from their ancestral lands. Whether Boko Haram, Islamic State, or Fulani militants, the harm caused by religious violence in Nigeria is massive and victims of these groups need your prayers.
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