04/02/2020 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Ancha Village in Plateau State of Nigeria, is a tiny village about 2 hours outside of the state capital. The small farming community is home to less than 1,000 people and yet has been the site of nearly a dozen attacks over the past few years. These attacks, often attributed Fulani militants, have killed dozens of the residents, destroyed many homes and properties, and left the villagers in fear. The latest attack took place late last night, April 1, and lasted for about 4 hours. Three locals were killed by gunfire, and another 2 people were injured in the Christian village.
The villagers had noticed suspicious movement in and around their village over the past few days. They then told the government and asked for some protection. Despite these pleas for help and the knowledge that this area has been attacked many times before, the government did nothing. They did not send any help or personnel until well after the attack was over and the attackers had left freely. It is this lack of government support and action that allows the attacker to continue their slaughter of villages like Ancha.
Ancha has suffered major attacks in the past as well. On September 8, 2017, Fulani militants attacked the village and killed 20 people, including 7 children. 19 of these people were a part of the Salama Baptist Church there in the village. Since then, the village has suffered attacks every few months. Despite this, the locals have not fled to hide in other larger cities, like many other areas do. Neither has the government provided any help to rebuild homes or farms, or any protection to ensure that these attacks are stopped. Please pray for those in Ancha who have lost loved ones and property to these incessant attacks. Pray for them to remain safe and for the government to finally do something to protect them.
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