KADUNA, Nigeria (BP) – About 50 Christians were killed, dozens kidnapped and homes destroyed since late January in several attacks spanning southern to northern Nigeria, Christian persecution watchdog groups said.
At least three pastors were killed in attacks in Kaduna in north-central Nigeria and Gombe in northeastern Nigeria, Christian Daily International-Morning Star News (CDI-Morning Star) said in separate reports.
In the most recent attack, Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is accused of killing Bala Galadima, an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) pastor, in an attack at his home in Lubo, Gombe, on Feb. 9.
Galadima was reportedly shot to death at 1 a.m. at point-blank range in his back while in bed, in a resurgence of violence in northeastern Nigeria attributed to Boko Haram.
Bitrus Saleh Africa, pastor of ECWA in Majagada village, was funeralized Feb. 8 after suspected Fulani militants killed him Feb. 5, along with three other Christians, CDI-Morning Star said. An ECWA pastor identified only as Rev. Ezekiel was killed Jan. 30 by attackers identified as Fulani bandits in an attack on Kwassam village, also in Kaduna.
Dozens of Christians were kidnapped and several others injured in the Kaduna attacks, CDI-Morning Star said, referencing several local sources.
Additional Kaduna killings included seven Christians in Zakada village and a Christian man in Akansa village, CDI-Morning Star said, based on reports from Daniel Achi of the Community Development Association’s forum in the Kauru Local Government Area.
Among the deadliest single attacks, 16 members of The Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry were killed early Sunday, Feb. 2, when Fulani militants reportedly stormed a village in Ebonyi state, shooting many and burning homes, International Christian Concern said Feb. 6.
In a series of attacks Feb. 3 and 5 in Benue state, Fulani militants are accused of killing six Christians, injuring another and kidnapping eight while burning homes to ashes, displacing residents from three villages, CDI-Morning Star reported.
In a series of attacks spanning Jan. 27-Feb. 1 in Plateau state, Fulani militants are accused of killing at least 11 Christians and kidnapping four others, CDI-Morning Star reported Feb. 13, referencing local residents. The attacks began in the early hours of Jan. 27 and continued five days in three counties in Plateau, with some victims slaughtered in their sleep, sources said.
“Dear God, please come to our aid. We need you here in Mangu, Plateau State. My heart bleeds,” CDI-Morning Star said local resident Nanbam Denan texted the news outlets.
A resident of Lightitlubang village, also in Plateau, accused the attackers of being Fulani militants, as did other residents including Moses Bankat.
“Terrorists we know to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Lightitlubang village and killed five Christians – a man, his wife and a child, alongside another Christian couple,” CDI-Morning Star quoted Bankat. “The victims were slaughtered by the terrorists.”
Fulani are predominantly Muslim and comprise numerous clans totaling millions in Nigeria and across the Sahel, but most do not hold extremist views.
Open Doors, ranking Nigeria as the 7th most dangerous country for Christians in its 2025 world Watch List, listed attacks by radicalized Islamic ethnic Fulani militia as a main driver of violence there. In north-central states including Kaduna, as well as middle-belt areas including Plateau, Fulani militants attacking farming communities heavily populated by Christians, killing many hundreds, Open Doors reported, adding to attacks elsewhere in Nigeria by Jihadist groups as Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province, among others.
In 2024, 3,100 Christians were killed in Nigeria, down from 4,118 the previous year. Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians.
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