by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Muslim Fulani militants are continuing to murder Christians in Nigeria, and at least 18 people from Christian communities in Kaduna state were slaughtered in the week leading up to Christmas, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Around 11,500 Christians have been killed by Islamic terrorists in Nigeria since 2015: Fulani radicals have joined Boko Haram (Islamic State in West Africa) as principal perpetrators of this onslaught. Rights groups have described the situation as “genocide” while world leaders and media have remained almost entirely silent.
Ten people from Christian communities were killed in one day on December 17, when Fulani militants attacked Gora Gan village of Zangon Kataf LGA. An older man was killed in the village of Kujeni Tudu, ICC said. Two days later on December 19, militants destroyed the village of Gbaja Katarma and murdered eight people.
In addition to killing at least 18 people in Kaduna in the week before Christmas, Fulani terrorists also abducted Christians from the villages of Ungwan Waziri, Gwazunu, Gbaja Katarma, Galumi, Kugosi, Gora Gan, and Kujeni Tudu.
Rev. Thomas James of Godiya Baptist Church Gwazunu and Rev. Luka Dani of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Galumi village were both abducted on December 19, ICC said. It is reportedly unclear if a ransom was paid, but Rev. Dani was released on December 23. Nevertheless, ICC said, “[Rev. Dani] has been forced to flee his home and church.” On Dec 24, militants beat up Rev Luka Shaho of the Assemblies of God Church in Ungwan Waziri and abducted his wife, Mrs. Jumai Luka.
“Please continue to pray for the safety and security of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria,” ICC requested in its report.