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In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers faced by Christian missionaries in Nigeria, Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed a pastor, his daughter, and her husband, leaving the couple’s infant with a severe wound. This violent attack took place in Plateau state on January 16, as reported by the Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
The victims, Rev. Bulus Madaki, an EMS missionary, along with his daughter and son-in-law, were ambushed while traveling on the Jos-Barkin Ladi highway to Barkin Ladi County. The couple’s 3-month-old baby girl, though injured, survived the horrific attack.
EMS leaders expressed the high cost of spreading the gospel in Nigeria, stating, “In Nigeria, the gospel is often preached at the cost of blood and tears, the blood and tears of missionaries who choose to follow Christ no matter the price.” The slain pastor had recently been transferred to a new mission station at Gwol DCC from Janta 2 Mission Station in Zagun District Church Council (DCC) and was killed near the Kassa-Nding Bridge.
The attack underscores the ongoing peril faced by missionaries in Nigeria. Despite the dangers, EMS leaders acknowledged the resilience and growth of mission work, saying, “Missions in Nigeria is growing, but the danger that comes with it is both real, brutal and enduring. In spite of this attack, it is a sure evidence that we are winning and souls are being won to Christ through a tumultuous period.”
ECWA members conveyed their determination to continue evangelism despite persecution. Cletus Ali, an ECWA member, remarked, “We pray to do more, persecution will never end and so also evangelism will never end.” Another member, Ayoola Abejide, asked for divine intervention, saying, “May God intervene and also bring vengeance upon the enemies of the gospel and give us rest.”
According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, Nigeria remains a perilous place for Christians, with 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed worldwide for their faith being Nigerians from October 2024 to September 2025. Nigeria ranked seventh among the 50 countries where Christians face the most difficulties.
The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report that while the Fulani herdsmen consist of diverse clans, some have adopted radical Islamist views akin to Boko Haram and ISWAP, targeting Christians and symbols of Christian identity.
Christian leaders in Nigeria suspect that attacks by herdsmen are driven by motives to seize land and impose Islam, exacerbated by desertification challenges affecting the herdsmen’s livelihoods. The northern regions, including the Middle Belt, are particularly affected by violence from extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, where Christians are frequently targeted.
The emergence of new jihadist groups like Lakurawa in the northwest, linked with Al-Qaeda’s jihadist network, further complicates the security landscape in Nigeria. This group, alongside others, continues to pose significant threats, armed with advanced weaponry and driven by radical ideologies.
© Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
