New Delhi: A wave of targeted violence by Fulani Islamic terrorists has left 32 Christians dead across Plateau, Nasarawaand Benue states over recent weeks. Over two weeks of systematic raids, armed Fulani Islamic terrorists overran predominantly Christian villages, burning homes and shooting sleeping residents in what community leaders and legal representatives describe as an existential threat to Christian rural life.
In Plateau State’s Riyom County, located southwest of Jos, a two-week offensive by armed Fulani Islamic terrorists claimed the lives of 16 Christians across five predominantly Christian communities. The violence began on August 2 in the Christian villages of Torok, Kum, and Wereng Camp, where Fulani Islamic terrorists murdered 10 Christians.
Community leader Rwang Tengwong identified the victims of this assault as 3-month-old Jennifer Yohanna, 3-year-old Peace James, 8-year-old Endurance James, 10-year-old Reto James, 16-year-old Melody James, 18-year-old Sele James, 18-year-old Janet Yohanna, 21-year-old Yohanna James, 38-year-old Celina James, and Daniel Danjuma Chong.
Attorney Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri confirmed that during the Torok village attack, David Dachollom Danjuma, a former local council legislator for Rim Ward, was assassinated by Fulani Islamic terrorists alongside hired bandits.
Member of Nigeria’s National Assembly Fom Dalyop Chollom condemned the killing, calling it a wicked, barbaric act of terrorism intended to instill fear, destabilize the constituency, and attack peace, democracy, and the sanctity of human life. Chollom urged residents to remain vigilant, peaceful, and united, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators immediately.
Bloodshed across Plateau state communities
The campaign of violence by Fulani Islamic terrorists in Plateau State continued unabated over the following days. On August 4, Fulani Islamic terrorists struck the predominantly Christian village of Tanjol in Riyom County, killing three Christians identified by area resident Vincent Caleb Alamba as Dachung Danjuma, aged 51, Victor Danjuma, aged 37, and Nyam Danjuma, aged 35.
Armed Fulani Muslim militants on motorcycles are raiding Christian communities throughout Nigeria, chanting “Allahu Akbar” while they attack and murder civilians💔
These fighters carry AK-47s and other military weapons, traveling from one village to the next on bikes that… pic.twitter.com/WCF9gCiaLe
— Brittnie Brent (@BrentBritt58901) August 15, 2026
The assault escalated further on Tuesday night, August 12, when Fulani Islamic terrorists launched coordinated attacks on multiple settlements. At approximately 8:30 PM, Fulani Islamic terrorists invaded Kyeng village, followed by a subsequent attack on Gwa-Wereng Rim at around 9:30 PM.
Area resident Lyop Gabriel confirmed the deaths of two Christians, Bulus Mwagwong and Stephen Dachollom Kaze. Gabriel detailed how Fulani Islamic terrorists invaded the two communities and opened fire on residents, while in Dorong and Jol villages, the terrorists set fire to houses and actively shot at any Christian residents they sighted while the victims were sleeping in their homes.
Attorney Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri emphasized that these persistent attacks represent a disturbing threat to the lives, livelihoods, and safety of rural Christian communities, stressing that the Nigerian government must step up efforts to prevent further violence against Christians.
Targeted ambush and funerals in Nasarawa and Benue
The destruction extended into neighboring states, where Christian leaders and communities were forced to bury their dead following targeted ambushes and massacres executed by Fulani Islamic terrorists.
In Nasarawa State, leaders of the Evangelical Church Winning All conducted a funeral on Monday, August 10, in Amaha village, Kokona County, for Filibus Usman Kuje, aged 48.
Kuje, who served as the youth leader of the Ungwan Takwa District Church Council, was ambushed and killed by armed Fulani Islamic terrorists on August 6 as he was returning to his village after attending a church program.
Breaking: At least ten members of a single family wiped out in a late night attack by Fulani terrorists in Riyom, Plateau State 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/jZNmU01pwU
— Masara Kim (@masskeemz) July 12, 2026
Church member Naphtali Anzason and the leaders of the ECWA Angwan Takwa District Church Council issued statements calling for fervent prayers, comfort, and strength for Kuje’s immediate family and the broader church during this painful period.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, thousands of Christians from various denominations gathered on Saturday, August 8, in Efeyi, located within the Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, for a mass funeral honoring 15 Christians slaughtered by suspected Fulani Islamic terrorists.
Resident Odeh Great reported that the deadly raid on the predominantly Christian community occurred at around 5:00 a.m. on July 28, when the assailants killed the victims as they slept. He named the slain Christians as Emmanuel Agwu, Ikpe John, Ameh Fredrick, Owogho Okpe Philip, Onche Abechi, Sunday Alechenu, Isaac’s Elembi, Abogonye Ameh, Emmanuel Ejiga, Success Onche, Apem Samuel, Edache Abechi, Chinedu Ameh and Michael Abalike.
Local residents Orga Stephen and Aleh Pero noted the profound grief hanging over the community, stating that the tears shed reflect an urgent need for lasting peace, justice, and protection for Christian communities in Nigeria who deserve to live, sleep, and worship without fear.
Rising persecution and broader context
The targeted killings reflect a broader, escalating trend of religious persecution and violent conflict across Nigeria. According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, which tracks persecution data from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, Nigeria remains the global epicenter for anti-Christian violence, ranking No. 7 among the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Muslim felani terrorists head to attack Christian communities, pass freely through a police checkpoint in Katsina, Nigeria!
Officers literally wave them through.
The world's legacy media silent.
Politicians turn a blind eye! pic.twitter.com/QWISKzCwic
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) August 13, 2026
Out of 4,849 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during that period, 3,490, or 72 percent, were murdered in Nigeria, marking an increase from 3,100 deaths the prior year. While the predominantly Muslim Fulani population numbers in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, radical elements among them operate as armed militias adopting violent Islamist ideologies.
Reports from the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief note that these radicalized Fulani Islamic terrorists employ strategies comparable to Boko Haram and ISWAP, demonstrating a clear intent to target Christian identity, farming communities and religious symbols.
Christian leaders in Nigeria maintain that the attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt are driven by a desire to forcefully seize farmland and impose Islam, exacerbated by environmental factors such as desertification.
Violence continues to spread across northern and central zones, complemented by jihadist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP and the newly emerged JNIM-affiliated Lakurawa group in the northwest, leaving rural Christian populations subject to ongoing raids, sexual violence, blockades and targeted killings.
