Wave of Violence in Kaduna State: Communities Appeal for Urgent Intervention
Communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, are reeling from a series of violent attacks attributed to Fulani herdsmen, leading to calls for immediate action from authorities and international bodies. The attacks, which have predominantly targeted Christian communities, have left residents in a state of fear and desperation.
On June 7, the villages of Dogon Fili and Attang in Jema’a County were attacked after nightfall, resulting in the deaths of two Christians and injuries to three others. According to Sandra Musa, a resident, among the deceased was Iliya John, 38, who was shot by the assailants. She also reported that two residents from the neighboring Antang village, James Ishaya, 39, and Elisha Mallam, 38, were injured. Additionally, several commuters were kidnapped during the incident. Read more about the incident.
In another incident on June 28, the community leader of Bauda village in Kajuru County was kidnapped. Peter Stephen, a local resident, identified the victim as Obadiah Iguda, 48, who was abducted from his home at night. Stephen Maikori, a leader in Kufana District, confirmed the kidnapping and urged for increased security measures to protect the area’s Christian population.
Furthermore, Unguwar Sarki village experienced a brutal attack in early June, where Fulani militants executed a community leader in broad daylight. Alhaji Ishaya Onnusim, chairman of the Ugom Progressive Union, recounted how the attackers used motorbikes to storm the village, shooting indiscriminately. Stephen Alhassan, a 57-year-old farmer, was chased down and executed in a particularly horrific manner.
Onnusim described the constant threat the residents face, highlighting the dangers villagers encounter while trying to farm, their primary source of livelihood. He lamented, “We cannot go to the markets to trade or buy food. We cannot go to our farms, which are our only means of survival. Our children cannot go to school. Our elderly are helpless. Our women and girls are vulnerable.”
Seeking help, Onnusim appealed to various authorities and organizations for intervention, emphasizing the urgent need for security and humanitarian assistance. He warned that without action, the community could face a dire future.
The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) has noted that while many Fulani do not hold extremist views, some adhere to radical ideologies similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP. This has led to targeted attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Fulani herdsmen are accused of attempting to seize land.
According to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, Nigeria is one of the most perilous countries for Christians, with 3,100 out of 4,476 Christians killed worldwide during the reporting period. The violence has escalated, with new groups like Lakurawa emerging, associated with al-Qaeda-linked insurgencies.
Nigeria ranks No. 7 on the World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution, underscoring the severity of the situation.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
