Nigeria: Muslim Gunmen Kill 15 Christians

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

ABUJA (Worthy News)-- Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 15 Christians and an infant in simultaneous attacks against two Nigerian states on Dec. 17, according to Morning Star News.

In Taraba state, more than 100 herdsmen attacked Sabon Gida Shagogo about 4 a.m. after soldiers on patrol had just left the village; the herdsmen then killed 10 Christians and set fire to church buildings and houses.

The Rev. Clement Mkperaga -- a Roman Catholic priest whose church was razed -- told Morning Star News that the village was destroyed and that he and all his parishioners had fled.

On the same day in Kaduna state, five other Christians were killed and 15 homes were destroyed in another early morning attack on the predominantly Christian village of Angwan Dauda. Among the victims was a 1-year-old boy and his mother whose husband was killed in an earlier attack by the herdsmen.

The Fulani herdsmen were aided by Islamists in both attacks.

While ethnic Fulani have had longstanding land disputes with Christian farmers, church leaders said the current attacks on Christian communities are Islamic acts of war to eliminate Christianity in Nigeria.

Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency reported this year that more than 1,500 Christians have died in attacks by Muslims who have been targeting northern Nigerian states.

Christians make up 51 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million while Muslims account for 45 percent.