Christian Leader Found Dead After Kidnapping in Central Nigeria
Yuda Garba, a village head in Nigeria, was found dead following his kidnapping by Fulani herdsmen. Eight Christians, including Garba’s grandchildren, were abducted on March 11. Violence against Christians in Nigeria has escalated, with the country ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List due to such attacks. Police efforts to rescue victims are ongoing amid growing concerns for their safety.
On March 17, Yuda Garba, a village head of Dnako in Bwari Area Council, was discovered dead after being kidnapped alongside seven other Christians on March 11 by suspected Fulani herdsmen. His body was located by villagers in the Nomadic Forest near Kuyeri, close to the border of Kaduna State. Relatives have confirmed the identity of the remains found, prompting security forces to intensify efforts to locate additional victims.
Among those abducted with Mr. Garba include his grandchildren, Ephraim and Philemon, another Christian named Nicholas, and four other individuals. According to eyewitness Tanko Baba, armed herdsmen invaded the village around midnight, abducting residents while they were asleep.
Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Abuja Federal Capital Territory Police, confirmed the incident and stated that police are actively pursuing the kidnappers. Tanko Baba expressed hope for the victims’ rescue amidst the ongoing police operations.
Separately, Ishaya Kukah, the brother of Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah from Sokoto Diocese, was kidnapped on March 5 in Kaduna State, alongside six other Christians. This incident was also confirmed by Mansir Hassan from the Kaduna State Police Command, who reported that efforts to rescue all abducted individuals are underway.
Christian leaders highlight that Fulani herdsmen attacks on Christian communities are driven by a desire to seize land, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The 2025 World Watch List from Open Doors indicates Nigeria as one of the most perilous locations for Christians, revealing that 69 percent of Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period were in Nigeria.
Violence against Christians in Nigeria has markedly increased, with militant groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP targeting Christian communities for killings and abductions. A new jihadist group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, exacerbating the violence with advanced weaponry and a radical agenda.
Nigeria is ranked seventh on the 2025 World Watch List, highlighting persistent threats to Christians in the nation as insecurity escalates across both northern and southern regions. For those wishing to support persecuted Christians, assistance options are available through various organizations.
The tragic death of Yuda Garba underscores the persistent violence faced by Christians in Nigeria, particularly from armed Fulani herdsmen. The systematic abductions and targeted attacks against Christian communities reflect a broader crisis of security and religious persecution in the country. The international community and local authorities must address these issues urgently to protect vulnerable populations and restore a semblance of peace and safety in affected regions.
Original Source: morningstarnews.org
