Increasing Violence Against Christians in Nigeria: A Tragic Overview
Yuda Garba, a village head in Nigeria, was kidnapped and subsequently found dead after an attack by armed Fulani herdsmen. Alongside him, several other Christians were abducted, compounding the ongoing violence against Christian communities. Reports highlight a concerning pattern of systematic attacks aimed at Christians, resulting in significant loss of life and escalating fears of further persecution.
On March 11, eight Christians were kidnapped in central Nigeria, including Yuda Garba, the village head of Dnako, a predominantly Christian community in Bwari Area Council of Abuja. Tragically, Garba was found dead on March 17 in Nomadic Forest near Kaduna state’s border. Villagers have confirmed the identity of his remains, as authorities are intensifying the search for the remaining hostages.
The abductees included Garba’s grandchildren, Ephraim and Philemon, along with another Christian named Nicholas and four others. Eyewitness Tanko Baba described how armed assailants stormed the village around midnight, dragging victims from their beds at gunpoint. The local police, represented by spokesperson Josephine Adeh, have been mobilized to pursue the kidnappers and locate the victims.
In a separate incident, Ishaya Kukah, brother of Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah from Sokoto Diocese, was kidnapped along with six others on March 5 in Anchuna, Kaduna state. Samuel Kukah, another brother, mentioned that they were seized while they slept. The Kaduna State police are actively working to address this crisis, as confirmed by spokesperson Mansir Hassan.
The Fulani herdsmen, comprising millions across Nigeria, include factions that propagate radical Islamist ideologies. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief documented this concerning trend, indicating that some Fulani herdsmen adopt militant strategies reminiscent of Boko Haram and ISWAP, targeting Christian communities.
Christian institutions emphasize that these attacks are part of a broader scheme to usurp land from Christian farmers. According to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, Nigeria is among the most perilous countries for Christians, with 69 percent of the 4,476 globally recorded Christian fatalities occurring there. Violence from Fulani militia in the North-Central zone particularly affects farming communities, where assaults have led to countless deaths and immense suffering.
The challenge extends beyond northern states, with the emergence of groups such as Lakurawa in the northwest, known for their radical ideology and advanced armaments. The latest data ranks Nigeria as the seventh most perilous nation for Christians, highlighting the alarming spread and impact of religiously motivated violence.
In conclusion, the tragic kidnapping and killing of Yuda Garba underscores the growing violence against Christians in Nigeria. Numerous incidents, including the abduction of Ishaya Kukah, reflect ongoing threats posed by armed groups, particularly Fulani herdsmen. As the security situation deteriorates, the Nigerian government is urged to enhance protective measures for vulnerable communities. The increasing severity of religiously motivated attacks on Christians calls for immediate international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.christiandaily.com
