08/11/2022 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Peaceful Christian communities in Nigeria are becoming a burial ground, with Fulani militants targeting Christian farmers, Catholic priests, and traditional rulers. According to locals, these militants’ target is to wipe out Christians and create an Islamic caliphate in Christian farming communities.
Two traditional Christian rulers were recently kidnapped, and one was killed within a week. “The first gunshot was targeted at the driver,” a resident told ICC in Akure, Ono, South-West Nigeria. The Fulani militants targeted the traditional ruler in Owo county, a peaceful Christian community where the Fulani militia have killed fifty Catholic worshipers and others in recent months. An ICC staffer was there and reported the incident at the time.
In this most recent aggression, the militants shot the driver in the head and kidnapped the traditional ruler along with three others. Local police officers said police, vigilantes, and hunters are going around the forest in search of the militants. Most times, the militants collect a huge ransom to buy guns, an ICC staffer confirmed from the experience of those who were kidnapped. When Christians cannot pay the ransom, they are often killed.
In Taraba State, in the North-East of the country, militants kidnapped a traditional ruler and his son last Wednesday in Takum. Their corpses were recovered two days later.
The late traditional ruler had been speaking against the Fulani militant atrocities in his village. Some of his cabinet, who are Fulani, was reportedly against his efforts.
The Nigerian Police Force, Taraba State Command, has confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection to the abduction and murder of the traditional ruler and his son.
Takum and Ussa local government areas are presently experiencing attacks from Fulani militants, which have led to several deaths, destruction of property, and a humanitarian crisis in recent days.
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