06/14/2022 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Early in the morning on June 12, suspected Fulani herdsmen launched an attack on Igama village. This small community is in Benue State, located in northern Nigeria.
According to one of ICC’s representatives, the armed militants arrived around 5:30 am and began shooting randomly into the air. When the villagers scattered at the sound of the gunfire, they ran into the attackers, who killed at least eleven people.
A local source told ICC, “The situation is erratic as the Fulani jihadists came when people were sleeping and unaware.”
They continued, “I suspect a grand plan to annihilate us because, despite the presence of security personnel in and around the local government, the attack still happened after all.”
When he was asked about the situation on the ground at the time of filing this report, the source stated, “The people of the community are right now thrown into perpetual fear of uncertainty.”
Benue, which is a majority-Christian state, has been repeatedly targeted by Fulani, who have become radicalized because of its strategic position in Nigeria and its own religious agenda.
Benue State’s governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has attempted to curb Fulani violence by enacting Anti-Open Grazing laws, which attempt to keep the Fulani herding communities separate from the primarily Christian farming communities. The Fulani have opposed this law, and the Nigerian federal government has been relatively dismissive of it.
As Nigeria approaches its general elections in early 2023, it is rumored that the Fulani are looking to elect a sympathizer who will repeal the Anti-Grazing law to allow them free grazing.
Please stand with the people of Benue state with your prayers, support, and encouragement.
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