20 killed in latest devastating attack in Nigeria

A church leader and a pregnant woman are among at least 20 people killed in an attack in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. Please pray.

At least 20 people have been killed following an attack on a predominantly Christian farming community in Plateau State, Nigeria.  

This latest deadly incident happened in the early hours of Sunday (21 June), when ‘a group of armed hoodlums [violent criminals]’ targeted the Kawel community in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), a region that’s experienced many attacks in recent years. The group later clashed with police before fleeing. It’s believed that 18 people were killed at the scene. Three were taken to hospital – two later died and the other, a 14-year-old, is still being treated. 

Among the victims are Rev. Markus Nyam, who was shot dead outside a church building, and the parents and two sons of one family, leaving one son alive. A pregnant woman and medical staff from a local clinic also died.  

According to two locals, the attack happened at 2am, but police only arrived after daylight, reinforcing concerns over the inadequate protection of Christians amidst the incessant threat of attack in parts of Nigeria. Bishop Ayuba Matawal, a church leader in Bokkos, said security forces have a nearby presence, but their ‘late arrival left the defenceless community entirely at the mercy of their assailants for the duration of the raid’. 

Further security deployments are now said to be in place in the area following the incident.    

Raise your voice 

Whilst more people are talking about the violence and conflict affecting Christians in Nigeria, with the issue increasingly being raised with the Nigerian government, attacks like these continue to occur. It reinforces the enormity of the situation and the need for urgent, decisive steps to protect vulnerable communities.  

One way you can play your part is by signing the Arise Africa petition, which calls for protection, justice and restoration for Christians and other vulnerable individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. More than 615,000 people worldwide have already added their voice, and the aim is hit one million, before sharing it with the African Union, United Nations, EU and local governments around the world in the autumn. If you’ve yet to, please add your voice, and encourage your family, friends and church to do the same. Thank you.