JOS, Nigeria — Nigerian Christians are in shock following two deadly attacks that left at least 19 Christians dead.
On April 24, Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacked a Roman Catholic Church service in central Nigeria, killing two priests and 17 other parishioners during an early morning Mass, sources said. The attackers later destroyed more than 60 houses and ransacked food barns.
In April a spokesperson for the Christian Association of Nigeria said the herdsmen had destroyed 500 church buildings since 2011 with attacks that have killed hundreds and displaced 170,000 people, according to Morning Star News. Open Doors has called the attacks by Fulani herdsmen on Christian communities “evidence of ethnic cleansing.”
On April 30, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari became the first African leader to visit President Donald Trump at the White House. The two discussed economic, security and military ties between the two countries. Trump repeatedly spoke up for Christians in Nigeria, saying the U.S. is “deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria.”
Trump encouraged Nigerian leaders “to do everything in their power … to protect innocent civilians of all faiths including Muslims and including Christians.” (TAB)
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