Nigerian Christians murdered by Fulani Muslims

Persecution of Christians in Nigeria is rampant.

Persecution against Christians continues unabated in some parts of the world, with believers suffering at the hand of Fulani Muslims even to the point of death.

Islamic Attacks

Open Doors USA reports that on April 13, suspected Islamic extremists kidnapped and killed a Nigerian pastor and his wife in a Bauchi state village in northern Nigeria. Their deaths followed the burning of their church building in January as displaced Christians from Plateau state took refuge on church grounds.

“This is yet another case of unprovoked killing of Christians, which we condemn, and demand that the law enforcement agents must fish out the perpetrators of this act,” Bishop Musa Fula, state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Bauchi state, told Compass Direct News.

Two months ago Fulani Muslims raided three villages near Jos, burning about 75 homes and killing up to 500 Christians. As the knife- and cutlass-wielding mob attacked, they were heard shouting “Allah Akbar” which is translated as “God is great.” Men, women and even children were killed in this massacre.

Military Complicity

The Nigerian military was contacted for help, but it took two hours before the military arrived. By that time, the attackers had left. Some say that the commanding officer of the locally based regiment knew the attacks were expected, but chose not to do anything about it. Less than two weeks later, Fulani Muslims attacked two more villages in Plateau state, killing 13 more Christians.

The most recently recorded attack on Christians by Muslims in Nigeria took place over April 24-25, when Muslim youth gangs murdered seven Christians including two journalists. Open Doors responded immediately by providing beds and bedding, food and medicine for the suffering, many of who are now homeless and clearly traumatized by the event.

Your Help

Open Doors is asking Christians everywhere to stand in the gap for their afflicted brethren in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world. Letters to the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, asking his government to investigate these crimes and to hold those responsible for the killings to be held accountable would be helpful. Visit OpenDoorsUSA.org for more information.

“Using your voice on their behalf is one way you can let these Nigerian Christians know they are not forgotten and that we as a body of Christ are standing with them,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. “We can not and must not stand idly by and let our fellow Christians suffer in silence. Take action now with your prayers and by writing the Nigerian ambassador.”

Sharia Law

Open Doors reports that Nigeria is ranked #27 on their list of Open Doors World Watch List of worst persecutors of Christians. 12 northern Nigerian states have enacted strict (Shariah) Muslim law which provides a path Muslims must follow.

As Moeller noted, “For Christians and other non-Muslim groups, sharia (or just a pro-sharia mindset) enshrines their permanent second-class status.” In Nigeria, this status sometimes leads to death.

Pictured: UN Map, public domain

Popularity: 9% [?]