By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) - Evangelical Christians in southwestern Nigeria are still searching for loved ones after suspected Islamic gunmen abducted eight believers, aid workers said.
The armed men reportedly attacked their church bus Saturday, May 22, as it traveled along Akure-Ilesa Road in Ondo State.
“The bandits launched their attack against the Christ Apostolic Church bus at around 6 p.m. local time, forcing the victims to march into the forest,” confirmed the Barnabas Fund, an aid group.
Police and soldiers were so far unable to locate the Christians or their abductors, Worthy News learned. One witness, who wasn’t identified, recalled that “the bandits suddenly ran out of the forests and started shooting at us.” The attackers were Fulani,” she said.
“Fulani Islamist militants are often involved in the abduction or murder of Christians in Nigeria,” said Barnabas Fund, which supports believers in several nations.
Aid workers said the incident was at least the third of its kind to take place in Nigeria in the last two months. “In March, eight Christians were abducted from a church minibus in Kaduna State; they were subsequently released,” Barnabas Fund confirmed.
In April, one Christian was reportedly killed, four others injured, and a further four abducted by bandits in an attack on a church bus, also in Kaduna.
It comes amid broader concerns about mounting Islamic extremism in the African nation.