At least 39 people have been killed in separate attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Suspected Fulani Islamists struck the Kawel community of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, on Sunday 20 June.
Eighteen people were killed immediately, while at least 12 more died of their injuries in the days that followed.
Members of the Kawel community prepare graves for the victims of yet another terrorist attack in the Middle Belt [Image credit: Premium Times]
Among the victims were health workers and patients, security personnel, as well as residents in their own homes.
The attack came just five days after nine Christians were killed by suspected Fulani terrorists in the village of Unguwan Magaji, Kaura LGA, southern Kaduna State.
Eleven others were left critically injured.
“Destruction, fear and sorrow”
Members of the community, which is on the border of Kaduna and Plateau states, were commemorating the life of an elderly woman whose funeral had taken place earlier that day.
“The coordinated assault left a trail of destruction, fear and sorrow, claiming innocent lives and leaving many others with life-threatening injuries,” read a statement published by a local security force.
“Women, children, and elderly persons remain displaced and fearful of further attacks,” the statement continued.
Tens of thousands of Christians have been killed by Islamists in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria over the last 15 years in what church leaders have referred to as an anti-Christian “genocide”.
At least 30 people were killed in a week-long wave of attacks across Christian-majority Plateau State in early May.
How you can pray
Seek the Lord once again on behalf of His people in Middle Belt Nigeria. Pray that the activities of terrorists and armed criminal gangs will be curbed, for the sake of our brothers and sisters and for all Nigerians affected by conflict and instability.
