In Plateau state, Nigeria, the death toll from a jihadist massacre of Christians on Christmas Eve is now 195, with the search for bodies ongoing. The attackers, labeled as “bandits” in Nigerian media, are probably members of the predominantly Muslim Fulani ethnic group. The violence involved mass killings, burning of homes, and pillaging, described as a “well-coordinated” assault.
Advocates for religious freedom and local Christians view these incidents as part of a genocidal campaign by the Fulani to eliminate the Christian presence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and seize territory. The Middle Belt acts as a religious and geographical dividing line between the Christian-majority south and Muslim-majority north of Nigeria. The conflict revolves around access to farmland, with the Fulani demanding grazing rights, leading to increased violence against predominantly Christian farming communities. While some attribute the conflict to land use and climate change, persecuted local Christians vehemently reject this explanation.
Local authorities reported 195 bodies found, and over 10,000 people displaced, adding to the already significant number of displaced Christians in the Middle Belt. Recovery efforts are hampered by the challenging terrain, as many fled to the bush. The violence, ongoing for years, has led to occupied schools and displaced communities, with minimal federal government aid. Local leaders and survivors appeal for assistance, emphasizing the destruction of homes, crops, and the threat to food security. The Fulani communities, in response, blame Christians for alleged provocations, and official responses remain complex, with some denying religious motives behind the attacks.
