Christians in Nigeria are once again mourning after Fulani Islamist militants reportedly attacked a funeral service following the massacre of eight believers in Plateau State earlier this month, according to a report from The Gateway Pundit.
The violence began April 5 when extremists stormed the Christian village of Nding in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area during the night. Christians in the region say communication services are often disrupted before attacks, leaving villages isolated and unable to call for help.
A witness from a neighboring village reportedly posted online during the assault, warning, “We are posting this as it is happening, but unfortunately, it may take the security forces hours to reach the community. I pray everyone is safe!!!”
By the next morning, a pastor identified as James said eight people had been killed, including members of one family. He also described a growing campaign against Christian farmers in nearby regions.
“The Fulanis came in the night in the hundreds, cutting the farms belonging to the Christians… garden egg farms, maize farms, tomato farms, cabbage farms,” Pastor James said.
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“These people are using the farms and produce as the only sources of their livelihood…. Now they are denied all this?” he continued. “The question still remains…. What are they going to rely on now? How will they pay for their immediate needs?”
Pastor James later sent another urgent message reporting that militants attacked Christians again while victims from the previous night were being buried.
“This one just happened today again in the morning when the indigenous tribe, my own people (Berom), were in the burial ground trying to bury the eight people killed last night,” he said.
Local journalist Masara Kim livestreamed himself fleeing the funeral attack as gunfire echoed behind him.
“I’m so freaking tired. I gotta take another rest, not used to running these long distances,” Kim said while climbing uphill away from the shooting. “And now I just did it, climbing uphill with serious gunfire.”
Moments later, he cried out, “Oh God, it’s coming. It’s coming. It’s coming. It’s coming, Jesus. It’s getting worse.”
The report said many Christian villages remain defenseless even when police stations are nearby. In some areas, local Christians say authorities arrive long after attacks are over while villagers are left to bury the dead and rebuild shattered communities on their own.
The cries coming from Nigeria cannot be ignored. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are living where faith in Jesus is literally a life or death decision. Yet they continue to stand firm because choosing Christ is choosing eternal life. Christians around the world should pray fervently for protection, strength and justice for believers in Nigeria who refuse to deny the name of Jesus in the face of terror.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
