PLATEAU STATE, Nigeria — Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 21 people in two predominantly Christian villages in Plateau State of Nigeria, the world leader in the number of Christians slain for their faith last year, according to reports.
The relief group Barnabas Fund states 18 individuals — including a 3-month-old baby — were killed Jan. 12 when the herdsmen attacked the Irigwe village of Ancha. It is the latest in a wave of attacks on Irigwe people that have led to calls for government intervention to prevent genocide of the Irigwe.
In Plateau State’s Tyaana village, a Fulani ambush with guns and machetes Jan. 10 left three Christians dead and two wounded, Morning Star News reported.
Quoting Open Doors, a ministry that supports the global persecuted church, Morning Star News said 4,650 Christians were killed and 2,500 kidnapped in Nigeria for their faith between November 2020 and October 2021. The year prior, 3,530 Christians were killed and 990 were kidnapped.
Nigeria is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian, up from No. 9 on the 2021 World Watch List.
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