By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) - Dozens of Christians have been killed by hardline Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s troubled north-central Benue state, Christian survivors said.
Muslim Fulani herdsmen reportedly killed 10 Christians in a camp for the displaced in the area, bringing to 33 the number of Christians slain in Benue state the past week.
“During the attack on us, 10 Christians were killed, and nine other Christians were injured” in the camp along the Makurdi-Lafia highway, said survivor David Akiga in published remarks.
About 7,000 people displaced by previous herdsmen attacks live at the camp on the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue state capital, say Christians familiar with the situation.
On Saturday, herdsmen also attacked five predominantly Christian communities in Guma County, Benue state, killing 17 Christians, reported Morning Star News agency, citing David Iorhemba, a legislator from the area. The herdsmen invaded Yogbo-Mbayev, Ajimaku, Ayeri, Udei, and Tse-Gborigyo, at about 2 a.m., Iorhemba added in a text message.
Three Christians were killed in Yogbo-Mbayev, nine in Ajimaku, one in Ayeri, and four in Tse Gborigyo and Udei, he was quoted as saying.
On April 21 in Guma, Makurdi, and Agatu counties, six other Christians were reportedly killed in herdsmen attacks, said Caleb Aba, an official on Guma Local Government Council. Tse-Zoola village in Makurdi, Odugbeho in Agatu, and Mbayer-Yandev in Guma were attacked, he added in a text message.
The bloodshed came as Christians in several parts of Nigeria suffer from Islamic attacks.