7/23/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Around 11 p.m. on July 19, Islamic Fulani militants launched yet another attack on the Mbacher community of Katsina-Ala local government area, killing 18 Christians and wounding many others.

The militants reportedly went from house to house, gathering villagers, which they brought to another location and shot them.  

Justine Shaku, the Katsina-Ala local government’s chairman, confirmed the attack.  

“I quickly mobilized the military officers in Tor Doonga,” he said. “Being a remote area, before they could reach there, the people had been killed.” 

Shaku described the attack as a calculated attempt to wipe out his people and added that it was purely an act of terrorism. 

“I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities,” he added. “I classify them as terrorists now.” 

Weeks ago, on July 3, 11 people were killed in the Ayati community, also in Benue state. The ongoing attacks, particularly on Christians, are part of a trend that International Christian Concern (ICC) noted in its recent report on persecution in Nigeria.

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