Over 350 Christians Killed By Bandit, Fulani Herdsmen in 18 Days – Intersociety Reports.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has recently sounded the alarm regarding the alarming rise in violence against Christians in Nigeria.
According to their report, a shocking total of 350 Christians lost their lives within just 18 days, falling victim to suspected Fulani herdsmen, bandits, and even members of the military. These tragic events took place between June 12 and June 30, 2023, with Plateau, Imo, and several other states being the most affected regions.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, the Chairman of Intersociety, expressed deep concern over the dire situation. He revealed that a staggering 2, 500 Christians had been brutally killed by Fulani herdsmen and their accomplices during the first half of 2023.
Furthermore, Mr. Umeagbalasi shed light on another disconcerting aspect of the violence. He highlighted the involvement of jihadist elements within the Nigerian military and police forces, who accounted for 30% of the killings.
These individuals, together with their commanders, targeted unarmed and defenseless Easterners adhering to the Judeo- Christian tradition, particularly in Imo State. This wave of violence claimed the lives of at least 100 individuals between May 21 and June 30, 2023.
In addition to these distressing events, Boko Haram and ISWAP, two extremist groups, were responsible for a fraction of the overall casualties.
In the same 18-day period in June 2023, these groups were involved in the death of approximately 20 Christian in Christian – populated areas of Borno State, including Damboa and Chibok Local Government Areas.
The situation faced by Nigerian Christians is deeply disheartening and shocking. it is evident that the genocide acts committed during the previous administration user the leadership of Retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari (From May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023), continue to haunt the Christian community and non-Muslims.
These attacks, fueled the Jihadist agenda have resulted in the deaths of approximately 31,700 defenseless Christians between June 2015 and June 2023. Shockingly, since the Boko Haram uprising in 2009, the death till has reached a staggering 53,750 individuals.
Additionally, more than 18,200 Churches, 1,000 traditional religious sanctuaries, and related properties have been destroyed or burned down. This brutal campaign has also focwd 1,100 Christian communities to abandon their homes, displacing over 50 million Christians who have been rendered homeless.
The consequences of these attacked extended beyond displacement and destruction. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have been forcefully converted to Islam, while tens of thousands not non-menopausal Christian women have fellen victim to rape, sexual abuse, or enslavement.
The number of internally displaced persons and refugees of Christian faith has surpassed 15 million, with Benue State bearing the brunt of this humanitarian crisis, hosting at least 2.5 million Christians IDPs.
Umeagbalasi emphasized that there is an urgent need for attention and action to address these disturbing trends. The escalatinf violence against Christians and non – Muslims, the destruction of their sacred places, and the forced displacement of millions demand immediate international intervention to protect the lives and rights of innocent individuals affected by these atrocities.
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