A Christian humanitarian worker volunteering with the Nigerian Red Cross Society has been shot dead in an armed attack in Sokoto State, north-western Nigeria.
Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo, 30, was killed on 6 October when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying her team along the Kajiji-Shagari road in Shagari Local Government Area, according to accounts provided by her family to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
Her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, said the team was returning from fieldwork when the attackers ambushed the vehicle at around 7pm. Lydia was struck in the chest and died at the scene. Her body was taken home later that night.
Humanitarian Worker Was Serving Vulnerable Communities
Nwankwo volunteered with the Nigerian Red Cross Society and also worked with a development partner supporting the Sokoto State Ministry of Health.
Her family said she had been helping communities affected by repeated attacks and providing assistance to people in remote areas with limited access to essential services.
Her sister Victoria described her as a dedicated humanitarian who was willing to travel to difficult-to-reach communities to help people in need, including mothers, children and those requiring medical care.
The family said her work focused on supporting vulnerable people through health services and other forms of assistance.
A local resident who spoke to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News alleged that Islamic militants were responsible for the attack. However, the Sokoto State Red Cross Society described the incident as a bandit attack, while police said investigations were continuing. The identity of those responsible has not been officially confirmed in the statements cited.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society's Sokoto South Division expressed sorrow over Nwankwo's death and paid tribute to her service.
In a statement, the society's representative, Bello Bawa, described her as a committed volunteer who devoted her time to helping vulnerable communities.
The organisation extended its condolences to her family, friends and fellow Red Cross members.
Police in Sokoto State confirmed awareness of the incident but provided limited details, saying investigations were under way. Reports also indicated that a police inspector may have been killed during the incident, although further details were not immediately available.
Nwankwo's death comes amid continuing concerns over violence affecting Christian communities and other civilians across Nigeria.
According to Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List, 3,490 Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025. This represented approximately 72 per cent of the 4,849 Christians recorded as killed for their faith worldwide during that period. The Nigerian figure was higher than the 3,100 reported in the previous year's assessment.
Nigeria ranked seventh on the list of 50 countries identified by Open Doors as particularly difficult places to live as a Christian.
The report describes several sources of insecurity across the country. In the North-Central region, armed groups identified as Fulani militias have been accused of attacking farming communities, with Christians among those killed. In the north-eastern and north-western states, extremist organisations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have also been linked to attacks on communities.
According to Open Doors, these areas have experienced raids, sexual violence, killings at roadblocks and an increase in kidnappings for ransom. The report also highlights the spread of violence into southern parts of the country and the emergence of Lakurawa, an armed group operating in the north-west that it describes as having links to the wider jihadist network Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM).
The circumstances surrounding Nwankwo's death remain under investigation. Her killing has added to concerns about the dangers faced by humanitarian workers travelling to remote communities to provide essential support.
Based on reporting by Christian Daily International - Morning Star News, with background information from Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List.
