Boko Haram’s Reign of Terror: 10 Christians Killed in Borno State, Nigeria
On Monday, the extremist group Boko Haram launched a deadly attack on Kautikari village in Nigeria’s Borno state, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Christians, according to eyewitness accounts.
The assault on this predominantly Christian community in Chibok County was severe, with armed militants targeting residents in the evening hours. Esther Zamdai, in a message to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, confirmed the tragic loss of life.
Local resident Hauwa Williams expressed a desperate call for assistance, highlighting the ongoing plight faced by the community.
“Chibok is bleeding, we’re crying. We need help,” Williams lamented in her message to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “For how long are we going to suffer this persecution? God please see us through these unholy travails.”
In the face of daily violence, Rejoice Pindar, another resident of Kautikari, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“Kautikari is bleeding,” she stated. “Every day, innocent people in Kautikari, Chibok LGA, Borno state are being killed in Boko Haram attacks. Homes are destroyed. Families are broken. Lives are lost. We cannot stay silent. The world must hear our anguished cries. Immediate intervention is needed to stop the killings and save our lives.”
Asabe Sanya, also from the affected area, reported the personal loss of two uncles in the attack. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Bassey noted the persistent nature of these terrorist assaults.
“God, please show us mercy. Your children are being killed every day and night, and houses are being burnt to ashes,” Bassey implored. “Lord, we implore you to intervene. God, please come to our aid.”
Boko Haram, known formally as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, aims to enforce sharia law across Nigeria. Following a split in 2016, the group saw the emergence of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The group’s name, often translated as “Western education is forbidden,” is said by its members to mean “Western civilization is forbidden.” Boko Haram’s ideology labels Muslims not aligned with their jihad as infidels, justifying violence against them. This view is associated with strict Salafi jihadism, diverging from mainstream Islamic beliefs.
Nigeria has been identified as the deadliest country for Christians, with 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed globally from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, per the 2026 World Watch List by Open Doors. This marks a rise from the previous year’s figures.
The North-Central zone, with a higher Christian population compared to the North-East and North-West, faces attacks from Islamic extremist Fulani militias targeting farming communities. These attacks are part of broader jihadist activities by Boko Haram and ISWAP, with federal control in northern states being minimal. Abductions for ransom are also on the rise.
Violence has extended to southern Nigeria, where a new jihadist group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest. This group is linked with the Al-Qaeda insurgency Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) from Mali.
The APPG’s 2020 report highlights that while the Fulani are largely non-extremist, some adhere to radical ideologies similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP. The report notes their intent to target Christians and symbols of Christian identity.
Nigerian Christian leaders assert that attacks by Fulani herdsmen are driven by motives to seize Christian lands and impose Islam, compounded by challenges such as desertification affecting their traditional livelihoods.
© 2026 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
