Attacks by Muslim Fulani militants across several states in Nigeria’s Middle Belt in the past two months have resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Christians, with many others injured. Many farms were taken over by the militants, causing Christian families to flee for their lives. Attacks have been reported in recent weeks from Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau states – all located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, which is populated by a mixture of Christians, Muslims and animists.

Solomon Kwanta (pictured), a final year university student in Public Health, was killed along with another unnamed Christian in a Fulani militant attack in his home village of Ayilamo in Benue state’s Logo county at around midnight on Wednesday 9 October. Paying tribute to Solomon, a close friend, Atotse Moses, of the University Of Calabar Students & Aspirants Forum wrote on Facebook: “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Kwanta Solomon, a final year student of the Department of Public Health University of Calabar and dear brother… Solomon was an exceptional individual, renowned for kindness, compassion, and warmth. His infectious laughter and smile made him a beloved figure among students. His untimely death at the hands of Fulani herdsmen is devastating. I condemn this senseless violence and urge the Benue State Government to investigate, prevent future attacks, and support affected communities.”

Raymond Timothy Adai and his younger brother James Timothy Adai (pictured in funeral notice) were killed on Sunday 29 September as they checked crops on their farm in Bakin Kogi, a predominantly Christian community in Kauru county in Kaduna state. Local resident Gospel Bishara Garba stated, “The two brothers had gone to their farm to check on their crops in view of destruction of farms belonging to Christians in our area by herdsmen, and they were shot and killed by the herdsmen.” Raymond was a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for local council elections scheduled for 19 October. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and three children. James was a student of Christian Religious Studies at the Kaduna State College of Education.

Kadish Kenneth Gbiang (pictured in funeral notice) was killed in the town of Daffo on the evening of 3 September. Kadish, who was a community-based representative for the Norwegian Refugee Council, had spent the day sifting through victim records from previous attacks and uploading photographs to a database. Five gunmen, dressed in black and wielding assault rifles, opened fire on a compound of three brick buildings, killing six occupants. Kadish was shot at the entrance of one of two shops in the building while trying to escape.

His friend Shalom Enoch was also shot but survived the attack. He said, “I saw Kadish fall at the sound of the gunshots. I rushed to pick him up because he was still moving, and that’s when I was shot close to my collar bone. I laid on the ground for 30 minutes, and they kept shooting till they disappeared into the mountains. As the gunshots faded, I tapped on Kadish and realised he was already dead. I crawled to a safe corner and ran home from and was taken to hospital.” Kadish leaves behind his wife, Lydia and a young baby.

September – October 2024  Summary of reported attacks 

3 Sep Plateau state Eleven people (including Kadish Kenneth Gbiang)  killed in attacks on Jaffo, Kwatas and Bargesh in Bokkos county.

15 Sep Plateau state Fulani herdsmen killed six Christians in Mbar town and two others in Kwatas Bargesh village in Bokkos county.

23 Sep Benue state One person was killed in an attack on the  Tse-Antsam area of Naka county.

24 Sep Nasarawa state Suspected Fulani herdsmen shot dead Catholic teacher Okey Ezike in Eggon town. Okey owned a pharmacy and supplied free medications to local sick people.

26 Sep Plateau state A Christian farmer was killed in a machete attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Hwrra village in Miango District, Bassa County.

29 Sep Kaduna state Raymond Timothy Adai and brother James were killed  in an attack on their farm on Bakin Kogi, a predominantly Christian community in Kauru county.

1 Oct Benue state Seven people were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in an attack on the predominantly Christian Egwuma village in Agatu county. Local residents stated that it was the fourth attack in a month.

3 Oct  Benue state  Two Christians (Terwse Azege and Orseer Kende) were killed by herdsmen in an attack on Tse Wende in Kwande county.

9 Oct Benue state Solomon Kwanta and another unnamed Christian were killed by herdsmen in an attack on the village of Ayilamo in Logo county.

10 Oct Plateau state Favour Raymond (who was pregnant) was killed and her husband was injured when suspected Fulani militants stopped their motorbike and shot them – the couple was on the way home from an antenatal clinic  in the Jol community of Riyom local government area.

(Morning Star News, Stefanos Foundation, Truth Nigeria)

Images: Morning Star News, Facebook