by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - The relentless murder of Christians in Nigeria is continuing, despite repeated warnings from rights groups, including the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, that Nigerian believers in Christ are facing genocide at the hands of Islamic terrorists.
Amid a spate of similar massacres last month, Fulani jihadist herdsmen murdered 28 Christians between Apr. 20-22 in Nigeria’s Benue state, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Benue is one of several northern Nigerian states that have been hardest hit by jihadists aiming to seize control of swathes of the country for the purpose of expanding an Islamic Caliphate.
In a statement to MSN, Henry Agba, chairman of the Gwer West Local Government Council, said the herdsmen had murdered the Christians during attacks on Mbabwande village, Gyaluwa village, and a community along Naka/Adoka Road.
“These attacks started on Saturday, April 20, when six of the Christian victims were ambushed by the herdsmen at Mbabwande village, where they had gone for the burial of a Christian who died in the area,” Agba said. “So far, Christian villagers have recovered the 28 corpses of Christians killed during these attacks. Furthermore, dozens of other Christians were wounded and are currently receiving treatment in some hospitals,” he added.
Ruled by an Islamic government that has allowed the slaughter of between 60,000-80,000 Christians since jihadism got a grip on the country in 2009, Nigeria ranks six on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.