Nigerian Christians attacked in their homes during COVID-19 lockdown

Armed radicals conducted multiple raids on villages in two states North of the capital Abuja

UNDER THREAT: Traumatised families sit around in IDP camp, following attacks on their homes

CHRISTIANS IN central Nigeria are being targeted in brutal attacks from Islamic militants as communities across the region are in Coronavirus lockdown.  

Armed radicals conducted multiple raids on villages in two states North of the capital Abuja leaving 32 people dead as inhabitants kept to their homes to prevent the spread of the virus. 

“These are horrific, opportunistic attacks on people who are defenceless in their homes during lockdown,” said Jo Newhouse, regional spokesperson for the Christian persecution charity Open Doors. 

“The Government needs to ensure the safety of all Nigerians during the Covid-19 lockdowns and to address the impunity with which attacks like these continue.” 

Launched

In one attack, suspected Fulani militants launched a night-time raid on a community in the Plateau State, opening fire and killing three people.  

The three-hour siege on the Ancha community also left many without a roof over their heads after Islamists torched at least 17 houses on Wednesday, April 1. 

Community leader, Sunay Abdul described the attack as horrific. “There were so many that nobody could resist them,” he said.  

MEAL TIME: Families queue for food after being displaced by Fulani Herdsmen in Nigeria’s plateau state 2018

“They burnt houses at random, burnt four cars and killed three people while seven others sustained various degrees of injuries.”  

The violence follows other killing sprees in the Plateau State’s villages of Kperie and Gbra-Zongo as well as raids on two villages in Kaduna state where Muslim militants slaughtered 10 Christians on Monday, March 30. 

Community

Calling security agents to account, one community leader has said the attack on his village, which saw a pregnant woman killed, ‘could have been prevented’. 

“We don’t know what we have done to warrant this wickedness against our people,” said Nuhu Nkali.  

“The community made efforts to alert security agents, but nothing was done to prevent it.” 

Jo Newhouse added: “If people are going to stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, they need to feel safe from terrible attacks like this.” 

The number of Christians in Nigeria killed in the last year is 1,350, according to the World Watch List 2020. 

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