Nigeria: Dozens of Christians killed last month

Aftermath of terrorist attack in Benue State, Nigeria © Gboko Diocese/ACN

Source: ACN

Islamist extremists attacked Christian communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt last December, with the worst massacre claiming 47 lives on Christmas Day - meaning that over the course of 2024 nearly 150 were killed in acts of terrorism.

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received reports from local Church partners, detailing a number of killings previously unreported by the media.

The majority of deadly attacks took place in conflict-ridden Benue State, and violent atrocities also occurred in bordering Plateau State, according to ACN sources.

Father Isaiah Ter, executive director at Caritas in Gboko Diocese, told ACN that the militants also "burnt down the eight Catholic churches of St Mary's Parish", as well as "the parish house, clinics, schools and other houses.

"The parish priest and the assistant parish priest escaped and stayed in the bush for a whole day before they were finally rescued."

At least 6,800 people were displaced as a result of the Christmas 2024 attacks.

According to government officials, more than 1.5million people have been driven from their homes in Benue State alone.

ACN has offered emergency aid to the diocese to enable it to provide essential assistance to the IDPs (internally displaced persons).

The motivations behind the assaults include religious divisions and ethnic conflict, as well as land disputes between Muslim-majority herders and predominantly Christian farmers in the region.

Gboko Diocese has suffered many fatal attacks over the past decade, leading to the destruction of more than 20 Christian communities and 32 churches.

Prior to the massacres during the Christmas period, up to 100 people were killed in a series of incidents between January and November 2024.

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has repeatedly called on the government to do more to improve national security and prevent further extremist attacks.

With thanks to Filipe d'Avillez

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Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org