At least 17 Christians were killed overnight in coordinated attacks by suspected Fulani militants along the Plateau–Kaduna border in central Nigeria, shortly after the United States designated the country a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for ongoing violations of religious freedom.
The assaults took place late on Friday, 31 October, in two neighbouring communities, Kwi, a farming village in Plateau state, and Damakasuwa, a Christian-majority town on the border with Kaduna state. Both areas have faced repeated outbreaks of violence in recent years.
Residents of Kwi said armed men, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, surrounded the village before midnight and opened fire indiscriminately. By dawn, 12 people were confirmed dead and several others injured. Witnesses said many victims were women and children gathered for an overnight prayer meeting.
“It started suddenly; there was no warning,” said one survivor. “They shot at anyone they saw.”
A few hours later, another group of attackers raided Damakasuwa, arriving on motorcycles and shooting into the air to cause panic before firing into the crowd. Five people were killed, including Bala Rudeh, a well-known local youth leader from the Tsam (Chawai) community. The group had gathered for a community celebration when the attack began.
Community leaders described the incident as a “Black Friday”, mourning the deaths and calling for urgent government protection. “Our land is bleeding,” said a statement from the Tsam Community Development Association, which also confirmed that several others were injured and receiving treatment.
Many residents have since fled to nearby villages, fearing more violence. Local officials said the victims were buried the next morning in emotional scenes of prayer and mourning.
Neither the Plateau nor Kaduna state governments had released an official statement at the time of reporting. Calls to police authorities reportedly went unanswered.
International Christian Concern (ICC) condemned the killings, calling them part of “a pattern of targeted violence against Christian communities” across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. An ICC researcher said more than 4,000 Christians have been killed in similar attacks across several northern states over the past year.
Security experts warn that the border region between Plateau and Kaduna has become one of the most unstable areas in the country, with armed groups moving easily across rural settlements. Despite military operations launched in recent years, attacks continue with little sign of deterrence.
Many Christians in the region say they have lost hope in the government’s ability to protect them. “We keep burying our loved ones,” said one widow from Kwi. “We cry for help, but no one listens.”
Adapted from ICC.
