Nigeria (MNN) — Last week, bandits attacked Ayati village in Benue State, Nigeria, slaughtering at least 30 civilians. While state officials haven’t officially determined any motive, the attack fits a disturbing pattern of persecution across northern Nigeria.
According to Greg Musselman of Voice of the Martyrs Canada, “Around Christmas [last year], 238, Christians were killed in 40 majority-Christian villages in [Nigeria] by Fulani militant herdsmen.”
This year, attacks have continued across Nigeria, even spreading beyond typical Fulani territory into southern parts of Nigeria – or beyond Nigeria’s borders altogether. “It’s becoming more and more of a situation where the violence is getting out of control [and] the government doesn’t seem to help protect [against] it.”
It’s not just the Fulani herdsmen; multiple groups are inflicting violent persecution against Christians. The Islamic State’s influence continues to move across country lines; Boko Haram seeks to make Nigeria an Islamic caliphate; and the Fulani herdsmen are using religious radicalism as an excuse to expand their territory.
Unfortunately, Christians and moderate Muslims make for vulnerable targets.
“Christians being infidels, they’re worthy of death,” Musselman says. “They’re finding that common ground there… Christians are often caught in the crosshairs, and in many cases, they’re the most vulnerable targets.”
But that’s not where this story ends.
“The church is growing in Nigeria in the midst of all the persecution,” Musselman says. “Even in the midst of all the bloodshed and all the pain and the hurt and all these things are going on, people are responding to the gospel.”
If you want to learn more about the growth of the persecuted Church, follow Voice of the Martyrs Canada and their work here.
Header photo courtesy of Unsplash.
