Tragic Death of Village Head Highlights Dangers for Christians in Nigeria
On March 17, the body of Yuda Garba, kidnapped on March 11, was found in Nigeria after a raid by armed herdsmen. His abduction, which involved several other Christians, highlights the ongoing issue of violence against Christians in the region. Police are conducting searches for other victims. In Kaduna, Ishaya Kukah was also kidnapped with others, representing a broader trend of targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria, which ranks among the most dangerous places for practicing Christianity.
On March 11, Yuda Garba, the village head of predominantly Christian Dnako village, was kidnapped alongside seven other Christians in central Nigeria. Tragically, his body was discovered in the Nomadic Forest, located near Kuyeri. Villagers confirmed the identification of his remains, while security personnel continue their search for the remaining victims.
Garba was abducted earlier that day by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who stormed the village at midnight, forcibly taking innocent residents from their homes. Among the abducted were Garba’s grandchildren, Ephraim and Philemon, and another individual identified only as Nicholas, along with four other Christians, as noted by local resident Tanko Baba.
The Abuja Federal Capital Territory Police Command, represented by spokesperson Josephine Adeh, confirmed police deployment to the site to pursue the bandits. Efforts are ongoing for the rescue of the kidnapped individuals, expressing hope for their return.
In a related incident on March 5, Ishaya Kukah, brother of Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese, was abducted in Kaduna state alongside six others. This incident, similar to Garba’s abduction, occurred at night when armed Fulani bandits forcefully took the victims while they slept.
Fulani, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in Nigeria, consists of numerous clans. The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) reported that while most Fulani do not hold extremist beliefs, some segments adhere to radical ideology, targeting Christians and Christian symbols. Reports indicate a deliberate strategy to seize Christian lands amid adverse environmental conditions affecting their herding.
Nigeria has been recognized as amongst the most perilous countries for Christians, with Open Doors’ World Watch List reporting 3,100 Christians killed in Nigeria in the last year, accounting for 69 percent of global fatalities related to faith. This statistic underscores the immensely dangerous environment for Christian communities in Nigeria.
Throughout Nigeria’s North-Central area, the rate of violence is exacerbated, with attacks primarily targeting farming communities and Christian residents. Additionally, jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP are active in northern Nigeria, contributing to a climate of fear among Christians, with rising incidences of kidnapping and violence, and emerging groups like Lakurawa pose further threats to the region’s stability.
The ongoing violence and abduction of Christians in Nigeria reflect significant security challenges and the rising influence of extremist elements. With numerous incidents resulting in loss of life, notably among Christian communities, Nigeria’s status as one of the most dangerous places for Christians underscores the urgent need for increased security and humanitarian efforts in the region. The alarming statistics from reports indicate an environment in which pervasive violence threatens religious freedom and community safety, warranting international attention and action.
Original Source: www.christiandaily.com
