Supplied by Christian Daily International\/Morning Star News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ABUJA,\u00a0Nigeria \u2014 Fulani terrorists killed 12 Christians in attacks on two worship services on Easter Sunday in Kaduna state, Nigeria, following the killing of 17 Christians in Benue state, sources said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The assailants raided predominantly Christian Ariko town, in Kachia County, in northern Nigeria\u2019s Kaduna state, and fired on Christians worshiping at an Evangelical Church Winning All site and at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Dozens of others were kidnapped, and both church buildings were damaged, area residents said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe attackers, who have been identified as Fulani bandits, were in large numbers,\u201d Kachia Council Member Mark Bawa told\u00a0Christian Daily International\u2013Morning Star News. \u201cThey surrounded the community and attacked the churches as Christians were in worship services. Many Christians have been killed, while dozens of others were captured and taken away into the bush.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resident Sam Bahago said at least eight Christians were killed and many others taken into the forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAriko town, a peaceful community in Kachia Local Government Area, was tragically attacked on Easter Sunday by Fulani bandits,\u201d Bahago said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Army personnel who later arrived recovered more bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12, according to\u00a0Truth Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steven Kefas, another resident, texted a message to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News during the assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAriko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna state is under siege right now,\u201d Kefas stated. \u201cNot less than eight Christians are confirmed dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resident Gideon Michael also identified the assailants as Fulanis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTragedy has struck the Ariko community in Kachia LGA, Kaduna state, after Fulani gunmen launched a violent attack on Christian worshipers during Easter Sunday services,\u201d Michael said in a text message. \u201cThe coordinated attack targeted congregants at ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church. At least eight Christians are confirmed dead, with dozens of other worshipers abducted by the herdsmen and forcefully taken into the surrounding forests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benue state attack<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In central Nigeria\u2019s Benue state, suspected Fulani herdsmen said to be accompanied by other terrorists killed 17 Christians at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, sources said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Jande village, Mbalom in Gwer East County, the assailants shot the Christians dead, kidnapped many others and destroyed homes, residents said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere was an attack on Easter Sunday carried out by armed Fulani militia on Jande community of Mbalom, in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue state,\u201d resident Tivta Samuel told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fidelis Atom, another resident, said the attack left 17 Christians dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany other Christians are still missing and believed to have been taken away from their community,\u201d Atom said. \u201cThe attack has left the community devastated, with survivors displaced and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia in a press statement described the attack as \u201cheinous\u201d and unacceptable to his government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More Christians were killed in Nigeria than in any other country from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, according to Open Doors\u2019 2026 World Watch List. Of the 4,849 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during that period, 3,490 (72%) were Nigerians, an increase from 3,100 the prior year. Nigeria ranked No. 7 on the WWL list of the 50 countries where it’s most difficult to be a Christian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n