In a tragic event highlighting the risks faced by humanitarian workers in Nigeria, Lydia Nwankwo, a volunteer with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen on October 6th. The attack occurred while her team was traveling on the Kajiji-Shagari road in Sokoto state, according to family reports.
Lydia, aged 30, was part of a team that came under attack at approximately 7 p.m. in Shagari County. Chisom Nwankwo, Lydia’s sister, recounted to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that “bandits opened fire on their vehicle,” resulting in Lydia being shot in the chest and dying instantly. Her body was transported back home later that night.
Another sister, Victoria Nwankwo, revealed that Lydia was not only volunteering with the Red Cross but was also cooperating with a developmental partner focused on supporting the Sokoto State Ministry of Health. “Lydia did not die because she was rich. She did not die because she was a politician. She died because she chose to go where others refused to go,” Victoria told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
Lydia’s commitment to aiding vulnerable communities in remote areas of Sokoto was evident through her work, as she aimed to provide health services, food, and hope to those in need.
Chisom also noted that Lydia was returning from field operations in the Kajiji community when the ambush occurred. “Her team of five were ambushed around 7 p.m. on the Kajiji-Shagari road, after they had carried out field work in Tambuwal Local Government Area,” she stated.
According to Suleiman Ayuba, a resident of the area, the attackers were described as “Muslim jihadists.” He emphasized that Lydia was a Christian humanitarian worker returning from a mission supporting the Sokoto State Ministry of Health when the incident happened.
The Sokoto State Red Cross Society expressed their grief in a public statement, referring to the event as a “bandit attack.” Bello Bawa of the society said, “The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Sokoto South Division, is in deep mourning following the tragic passing of its volunteer, Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo.”
Meanwhile, local police have acknowledged the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing. Reports have also surfaced about a police inspector’s death in the incident alongside other attacks in Shagari County.
Statistics from Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List indicate that Nigeria is the most perilous country for Christians, with 3,490 out of 4,849 Christians globally killed for their faith between October 2024 and September 2025. Nigeria holds the 7th position on the list of countries where it’s most challenging to be a Christian.
In Nigeria’s North-Central zone, Christians frequently face assaults from Islamic extremist Fulani militia, particularly in farming communities. Northern Nigeria remains a hotspot for jihadist activities, with groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP actively operating and targeting Christian communities.
The conflict has also extended to the southern regions, with a new jihadist group, Lakurawa, emerging in the northwest. This group is linked to the Al-Qaeda insurgency Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), which has its roots in Mali.
© 2026 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
