JOS, Nigeria — Militant Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed a kidnapped pastor and 10 others in ongoing attacks upon Christians in Nigeria, Morning Star News reports.
The Rev. Dauda Bature was kidnapped Nov. 8 from Ungwan Kanti village in Kaduna state, then slain around Dec. 9 after ransom was paid. His wife was kidnapped Nov. 18 when she delivered ransom money, but was released Dec. 6. She said her husband preached Christ to and prayed for repentance of his captors, which infuriated the captors, states the report.
In Plateau state, Fulani attacked Te’egbe village Nov. 26, killing 10 Christians, states Morning Star.
In Zamfara state, Islamic militants warned that churches there would be attacked unless they close, says relief group Barnabas Fund.
Last year, Nigeria had the highest incidents of Christians kidnapped (990) in the world and the highest number of Christians killed for their faith (3,530), Morning Star reports. Nonetheless, the U.S. State Department recently removed Nigeria from its list of Countries of Particular Concern. One Christian official said the move shows the U.S. is prioritizing its Nigerian interests over the lives of Christians.
Nigeria is No. 9 on Open Doors’ 2021 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
