Rising Violence in Nigeria: Fulani Herdsmen Attacks on Christian Villagers

Escalating Violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt: Recent Attacks by Fulani Herdsmen

The conflict between Fulani herdsmen and Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt has intensified, resulting in significant loss of life. Reports indicate 36 individuals were killed in recent weekend assaults attributed to the Fulani.

According to the Catholic Makirdi Diocese, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, the violence also left nine people injured and two others abducted, as shared with Aid to the Church in Need.

Ori Hope Emmanuel from the Makurdi Diocese’s Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace reported an incident involving Father Solomon Atongo of Jimba Parish. “On the evening of his return from a memorial service held in honour of two Catholic priests killed in 2018, Father Solomon Atongo of Jimba Parish, Makurdi Diocese, was shot in the left leg by armed assailants identified as Fulani-Jihadists,” Emmanuel stated.

Tragically, the two passengers with him were kidnapped by the attackers, and Father Atongo is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Additionally, a farmer was fatally attacked by the Jihadists after completing his day’s work.

Such violent incidents are increasingly prevalent in this region, notably around Christian celebrations like Easter and Christmas. A Nigerian bishop had previously informed the British House of Lords that militant activities during Christmas were becoming alarmingly “customary.”

There is growing criticism that security services often fail to act, even with prior knowledge of impending attacks.

Illustrating this concern, Father Oliver Ortese, who chairs the international Advisory Board for Makurdi Diocese, questioned the response of the military. “There is a military post where the Nigerian army personnel are kept by the government where this incident happened. This has left many questions on our minds? Were the soldiers [a]sleep while these shootings by several Fulani are going on?”

The weekend’s deadliest incident saw 20 lives lost when militants opened fire on civilians. Among the victims, a two-year-old child was killed alongside an older brother and their father in Yelewata Village.

Father Oliver Ortese further commented on the dire situation, stating, “They are creating humanitarian crises as those who survive are moved into camps where they become beggars to eek out a living. You cannot imagine the reality we live in here. This is horror, this is terror.”