Eight Christians have been killed in an attack conducted by armed bandits in Ungwan Gaida, in the Chikun area of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The attackers, who struck on 19 May, also burned down a church building and several homes.
Kaduna’s Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs confirmed the attack, naming the victims as Bitrus Baba, Umaru Baba, Gideon Bitrus, Bawa Gajere, Samaila Gajere, Sambo Kasuwa, Samuila Kasuwa and Solomon Samaila.
Kaduna State lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. At least 257 Christians have been killed in Islamic attacks in the Middle Belt since the beginning of July 2020.
On 4 May a Christian was killed and four abducted as armed men attacked the Sunday morning service at Haske Baptist Church, Manini Tasha village, in Kaduna.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has warned of a “Christian genocide” if the government of Nigeria cannot protect Christians from Islamic violence.
