Nigeria: Muslims Attack and Kill 3 Christians

Muslim Fulani herdsman have attacked and killed three Christians in Kaduna state, Nigeria, adding to the recent attacks against Christians in the region.

According to AssistNews.com, the Muslim herdsman attacked the Christians while they were asleep in their homes in the early morning hours of May 31. The herdsman had previously attacked another Christian with machetes.

As part of the attack, the herdsman burned a pastor’s house. The pastor and his family, however, were able to escape unharmed.

“There were gunshots throughout the night as we hid in the bushes,” said Sali, a witness to the attacks. “They burned down houses, and set fire to the house of the pastor of ECWA [Evangelical Church Winning All] Church-Ninte, the Rev. Saleh Yamusa. He escaped with his family unhurt before the Fulani herdsmen burned his house.”

Ango, the man whom the herdsman had attacked with a machete was left for dead, but he regained consciousness after a while and cried out for help.

“Ango was in pains and crying out after he regained consciousness,” said Sali. “The Baptist pastor who found Ango in a pool of blood met some Christian women who were also returning from their farms and requested they rush to the village to alert others for help to take him to the hospital.”

Ango was taken to Kafanchan General Hospital where he has been recovering. 

Due to the violence, many Christians have been fleeing the region. AssistNews.com notes that Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population, while Muslims constitute 45 percent. Most Christians live in the south, while Muslims live in the north.

Publication date: June 3, 2016