Fulani Strike Again In Nigeria

Saint Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria was the scene of the latest attack by the Fulani. The attackers threw explosive devices into the church indiscriminately, followed by shooting through the windows. There were many children present in an area set aside for them to sit following their Sunday School lessons. At least 50 people were killed and over 70 were injured in the terrorist attack. This event is only the latest in years of conflict with the Fulani who really want to control Nigeria. Even though there were security and emergency services around the area, they did not move to enter the buildings. It was locals who went in to offer aid.

The Christian Association of Nigeria called on President Muhammadu Buhari to “stop the recycling of …criminals and terrorists in the de-radicalizing program” to find a lasting solution to the unending killings going on in the country. This latest attack is a significant escalation of terrorism. Those who are charged with ensuring security are obviously not discharging their responsibilities and appear to be in collusion with the perpetrators. The current violence appears to be due to other terrorist factions linking up with the Fulani, like ISIS, Ansaru, Boko Haram, etc. This violence in southern Nigeria is where thousands have been killed and tens of thousands displaced from Christian communities in militia attacks, the extremists of Fulani ethnicity, and terrorist factions. These current attacks have been called Phase One by the Christian leadership, and they claim that in Phase Two, “they will go into the urban cities going from house to house, killing prominent people… By 2022 they want to start a civil war in Nigeria.”

Let us pray fervently for:

  • God’s people who are being persecuted and killed for their faith. The Bible makes it clear that this kind of violence will increase in the end times (The Bible, Matthew 24:9-10).
  • God to hold the law enforcers responsible for their failure to discharge their duties to protect citizens and property (The Bible, Isaiah 13:11).
  • Christian Believers to grow in their dedication to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to actually increase in both fervor and numbers despite persecution (The Bible, 1 Peter 4:12-14).