In a tragic event that underscores the ongoing violence in Nigeria, Fulani militants launched an attack on a Christian village in Plateau state, resulting in the deaths of 28 individuals, including a revered pastor. The assault occurred in the early hours of Monday, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
According to local resident Jesse Peter Dukut, the village of Kawel in Bokkos County was ambushed around 2 a.m. “We were inside our houses when the Fulani herdsmen invaded,” Dukut recounted. The assailants fired at anyone who emerged from their homes, and even the faintest noise drew gunfire from the attackers.
The attackers severed phone and telecom services, effectively isolating residents and preventing them from calling for help, Dukut added. Communication among the attackers in Fulani and Hausa languages suggested coordination and local guidance. “We heard them even mentioning the names of some of our Christian leaders,” Dukut stated, confirming the targeted nature of the assault.
Among the victims was the Rev. Markus Nyam, who led the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Kawel village. Resident Godswill Nuhu confirmed that members of Nyam’s congregation also perished in the attack.
In response, church leaders in Bokkos released a statement expressing their grief: “We received with deep sadness the news of the death of Rev. Markus Nyam, who was among those who lost their lives in the recent attack in Bokkos. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the entire community during this difficult time. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen!”
Data from Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List highlights Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians, with 3,490 Christians killed for their faith from October 2024 to September 2025. This accounts for 72% of the global total of 4,849 Christians killed in the same period.
The Fulani, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, are widespread across Nigeria and the Sahel. While not all hold extremist views, some have adopted radical Islamist ideologies. A 2020 report by the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted their tactics resemble those of Boko Haram and ISWAP, specifically targeting Christian symbols and communities.
Christian leaders in Nigeria argue that these attacks are attempts to seize land and impose Islam, especially as desertification pressures Fulani herdsmen. The North-Central region, heavily populated by Christians, bears the brunt of these assaults, alongside jihadist activities from groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The spread of violence to southern Nigeria and the emergence of the jihadist group Lakurawa in the northwest, with ties to Al-Qaeda’s JNIM, highlight the escalating threat. This group is equipped with advanced weaponry and pursues a radical Islamist agenda, exacerbating the already dire situation.
© 2026 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
