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In a tragic incident that underscores the perilous conditions for Christians in Nigeria, a pastor, his daughter, and her husband were killed by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau state. This brutal attack on January 16 left their 3-month-old granddaughter injured but alive, according to a statement from the Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
The family was traveling on the Jos-Barkin Ladi highway to Barkin Ladi County when they were ambushed. The Rev. Bulus Madaki, who had recently been transferred to Gwol DCC, was among the victims. EMS leaders highlighted the tragic reality of their mission work in Nigeria, noting that “the gospel is often preached at the cost of blood and tears.”
Pastor Madaki and his family were targeted at the Kassa-Nding Bridge. Their granddaughter sustained a severe head injury but survived. “She now lives as an orphan,” the EMS leaders stated, emphasizing the enduring dangers faced by missionaries in the region. Despite such attacks, they expressed determination in their mission, believing that “souls are being won to Christ through a tumultuous period.”
ECWA members expressed their resolve to continue evangelizing despite the threats. Cletus Ali, an ECWA member, stated, “We pray to do more, persecution will never end and so also evangelism will never end.” Another member, Ayoola Abejide, called for divine intervention and strength, declaring, “No retreat, no surrender. Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ.”
According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, Nigeria is a dangerous place for Christians, with more killings than any other country from October 2024 to September 2025. Out of 4,849 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during that period, 3,490 were Nigerians. The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) has noted that while many Fulani do not hold extremist views, some align with radical Islamist ideologies.
The APPG report indicates that these extremists adopt tactics similar to Boko Haram and ISWAP, specifically targeting Christians. The violence, driven by a struggle for resources and land, has particularly impacted the Middle Belt region, where Islamic extremist militias attack farming communities.
Jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP operate in northern Nigeria, where the federal government’s presence is weak, leading to increased violence against Christians, including abductions and roadblock killings. The emergence of new jihadist groups such as Lakurawa in the northwest further complicates the security landscape, as they are linked to Al-Qaeda insurgencies.
Nigeria remains seventh on the World Watch List of countries where it is most challenging to be a Christian in 2026.
© Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
