Four Nigerian Christians killed in a Christmas celebration

Fulani militants gunmen attacked Christian carollers while they were singing in a church of Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Ten are still injured.

Evangelical Focus

Christian Concern, Premier · NIMDEM (NIGERIA) · 28 DECEMBER 2017 · 10:45 CET

Gate to the palace of the emir in Kadura, Nigeria. / Wikimedia,
Gate to the palace of the emir in Kadura, Nigeria. / Wikimedia

Human rights organisation International Christian Concern (ICC) has informed that four Christmas carollers have been killed in Nimdem village, Southern Kaduna, Nigeria.

The charity said suspected Fulani militants gunmen attacked Christian worshippers while they were singing Christmas carols around 10:00 pm, killing four and injuring 10.

In a press statement released by the Southern Kaduna People's Union (SOKAPU), the group lamented, saying: "We have once again come under unprovoked and gruesome attack two days before Christmas".

"This has left us wondering why people who had gathered peacefully for joyful Christmas carols in their village should be gunned down for no reasons".

 

CHRISTMAS EVENT

Confirming the attack, a local pastor, Gideon Mutum, said it happened "during an interdenominational carol that comes every Christmas with Bible quiz, drama, songs and preaching"

The pastor also confirmed that those critically injured were receiving treatment in different hospitals.

 

MORE THAN 100 ATTACKS IN 2017

ICC said these attacks have become all too common for unsuspecting villagers in Nigeria's Middle Belt.

In 2017, there were more than 100 attacks on Christian villages by Fulani militants that left more than 200 innocent Christians massacred.

Southern Kaduna, the state where this attack took place, has been one of the central locations of the violence in Nigeria.

Last year, the Fulani militants launched a similar attack on Goska village on Christmas Eve, killing five women and burning down several houses.

 

“NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD FIND A SOLUTION”

ICC's Regional Manager, Nathan Johnson believes that "the government in Nigeria must find a way to control the rampaging Fulani militants who have wreaked havoc on Christian farmers in central Nigeria”.

“The devastation that they have wrought has left hundreds dead, and thousands without homes. If they are left unchecked, many more Christians will be left wondering, 'When will it be me?'", he concluded.

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