Fulani Militias Kill More Christians After Holy Week Massacres

Christians across central Nigeria are holding funerals following attacks during and after Holy Week that left at least 157 people dead in rural communities.

Eight Christians were killed in a late-night attack on Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state, part of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where predominantly Christian farming communities have faced repeated violence.

The victims — identified as Iliya Mangut Dakus, Luck Titus Dakus, Habila Istifanu Dakus, Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Innocent Barnabas Makwin — were members of the same extended family, according to local reports.

Residents said the attack began at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, when armed men entered the village and opened fire on homes. The shooting reportedly continued for nearly an hour, causing families to flee into the surrounding bushes in the dark.

At least three others were injured and are receiving treatment, while some residents remain unaccounted for as search efforts continue.

Local officials confirmed the incident on Friday. Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Samuel Amalau, said the victims were unarmed civilians and called on residents to remain alert and cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help prevent further attacks.

Security agencies had issued no official statement at the time of reporting.

For survivors, the attack has resulted in more than physical destruction. Entire households have been disrupted, with relatives mourning multiple losses from a single family. Community members say the pattern of night attacks has made it difficult to anticipate or prevent the violence.

The killings in Plateau state are part of the latest wave of attacks reported in several Christian communities across Nigeria during and after Holy Week.

In neighboring Benue state, at least 10 Christians were killed in attacks on communities in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas on Sunday evening, April 12.

Residents said gunmen entered the Ankpali community in Apa LGA and opened fire on villagers. The sudden assault forced many residents to flee into nearby bushes, leaving homes and property behind. Several houses were damaged during the attack.

Titus Oche Ojobo, a resident who spoke after the incident, said search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing, with local vigilantes and security personnel combing nearby forests for missing persons.

Local authorities confirmed that nine people were killed in Apa LGA. In contrast, another individual was killed in a separate incident in Agatu, bringing the total number of fatalities in the area to at least 10.

The lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Chief Pastor Ojotu Ojema, also confirmed the attacks and called for increased security presence in affected communities.

Residents in both Plateau and Benue states say the recent incidents reflect a continuing pattern of violence that has intensified during meaningful religious periods.

Since Palm Sunday, International Christian Concern (ICC) recorded more than 200 Nigerians killed by Fulani Militias, 157 of whom are Christians, in separate attacks spanning Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and parts of southern Kaduna and Taraba states.

Many of the attacks have followed a similar pattern: gunmen arriving at night, opening fire on villages, and retreating before security forces arrive. Survivors often describe fleeing into nearby fields or forests, sometimes remaining in hiding for hours or days.

In several communities, churches that hosted Palm Sunday and Easter gatherings days earlier are now sites of mourning, with displaced families seeking refuge in neighboring towns or temporary shelters.

Community leaders say the timing of the attacks — coinciding with one of the most significant periods in the Christian calendar — has heightened fear among residents already dealing with long-standing insecurity.

In Bokkos, residents of Mbwelle village say the loss of multiple members of one family has deepened the impact of the attack. Extended relatives and neighbors have gathered in recent days to support the bereaved, even as concerns persist about the possibility of further violence.

Across affected areas, farming activities have also been disrupted. April typically is a critical period for land preparation ahead of the planting season, but many farmers say they are unable to access their fields due to safety concerns.

Local sources report that some families have begun relocating to larger towns in search of security, while others remain in their communities despite the risks, citing a lack of alternatives.

Security responses have varied across the affected states, with locals often reporting delays in the arrival of personnel during attacks. In many cases, local vigilante groups have been among the first responders, assisting in evacuations and search efforts.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no comprehensive official figure released by federal authorities regarding the total number of casualties linked to the recent wave of attacks. Authorities referred to the attackers as unknown gunmen, bandits, or criminals. Still, multiple eyewitnesses told ICC the attackers are Muslim Fulani Militias, shouting “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest) before killing.

For many communities, the immediate priority remains accounting for the missing, caring for the injured, and burying the dead.

In Mbwelle and Ankpali, as in other affected villages, residents continue to gather in small groups, sharing information about those still unaccounted for and organizing efforts to locate them.

While daily life has been disrupted, community members say they are trying to maintain routines where possible, even as uncertainty remains about what the coming days may bring.

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The post Fulani Militias Kill More Christians After Holy Week Massacres first appeared on International Christian Concern.