Nigeria: Up to 300 Christians Massacred on Christmas

Terrorists massacred up to 300 Christians in central Nigeria on December 24 and 25.

Many of those killed were preparing church Christmas programs. Most were elderly, women, and children who could not escape. Over 300 were wounded.

“These terrorists who attacked these Christian communities were in the hundreds, and they carried out the attacks as the hapless Christians were preparing for Christmas programs lined up by their pastors,” Dawzino Mallau told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

Local officials in central Plateau state confirmed the massacre. In one area, 113 people were killed in coordinated attacks in at least 20 villages. Hundreds of homes were also destroyed.

Plateau Gov. Caleb Mutfwang called the attacks “barbaric, brutal and unjustified.”

The terrorists were Muslim Fulani herders riding motorcycles and armed with high-powered weapons, and possibly mercenaries from Chad or Niger. Christian leaders believe Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are also involved.

Muslim extremist bandits based in forests frequently raid villages and kidnap residents for ransom. Since 2009, jihadists in northern Nigeria have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions of people.

Christians in Nigeria need our prayers. Pray for faith to endure, for healing and comfort, for wisdom.

Also, pray that the tens of thousands of terrorists will turn from evil and seek forgiveness from God and their victims.

Update (2/7/24) The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and pressuring the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria as a severe violator of religious freedom. Rep. Chris Smith introduced the resolution after the Biden administration did not list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern despite the ongoing genocide.