A group of Muslim Fulani herdsmen murdered 16 Christians attending a baby dedication in a central Nigerian church on Sunday, April 14.
Those killed included [10] members from Ruhaniya Baptist Church, five members from Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, one member from Evangelical Church Winning All, and a Muslim musician DJing the event. Eight others, including the event’s host, were left critically injured.
Tragically, one of the victims was the baby’s mother, Safaratu John Kabiru Ali. The infant’s dad, John Kabiru Ali, also suffered severe gunshot wounds and is currently in critical condition.
The brutal attack took place in Konshu-Numa village, located in Nasarawa state’s Akwanga County.
According to Morning Star News, the victims slain were adults and children alike ranging from ages [10] to [80].
The violent attack on Palm Sunday occurred during the neighborhood celebration that took place directly after the baby dedication. The Islamic group known for their violence toward Christians crashed the celebration and opened fire at approximately 7 p.m.
Chairman of the Akwanga Local Government Council, Samuel Meshi, reported that the Christians attending the dedication at Ruhaniya Baptist Church did not provoke the attack.
“They just started shooting sporadically on a community that was just having a feast of the dedication of a child after a church service earlier in the day on Sunday, 14 April, at a Baptist church in the area,” said Meshi. “The killings occurred in the evening of that day. Unfortunately, these persons were killed in cold blood for just no reason.”
Pastor Samson Gamu Yare called the murders “barbaric” and is urging the federal government to take action against the Fulani herdsman.
The burial for the victims took place on Wednesday, April 17 at the Baptist Church where the baby dedication was held.
According to Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List, Nigeria is ranked as the 12th highest nation for Christian persecution.
Please join us in praying for the Nigerian victim’s families as well as for this mass persecution to be put to an end.
**Visit https://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ today if you would like to learn more about how you can help persecuted Christians.
