TAFAWA BALEWA, Nigeria — In two villages in Bauchi state’s Tafawa Balewa local government area in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria, most area Christians have been displaced. In Mdandi village, scores of armed, hard-line Islamists — avoiding the surrounding Muslim villages — descended on Mdandi on March 27, destroyed the Christians’ homes and drove them out, former residents said.
The attack on Mdandi was preceded by an assault Feb. 10. “On their first attack, we fought back, defending ourselves and our families,” said Luka Zafi, pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) congregation in the village. “They left and returned the second time with more of them, and all armed with guns. We ran out of the village, and they destroyed our two church buildings and our houses.” Muslim Fulani nomads took over the village and were using it to graze their cattle.
The marauders were believed to have been Islamists from other parts of Bauchi state collaborating with local Muslims and Fulani herdsmen. Muslim extremists also attacked Gumel, another Christian village in the Tafawa Balewa local government area, in February, leaving two Christians dead, destroying three church buildings, burning more than 50 houses and displacing more than 300 residents. COCIN church elder Mallam Riga Ubandoma was killed in the Feb. 5 attack. A 14-year-old girl, Numkwi William, died from a snake bite while fleeing from the assailants.
Ishaya Magaji, 65, pastor of the displaced Gumel COCIN church, said that all 166 members of his church have been displaced. “We cannot return to the village — not only because our houses have been destroyed, but because the Muslims have taken over the village and are using the place as a grazing field for the Fulani Muslims in the area,” Magaji said.
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