For context, I do not recall any mention of this in western media. It couldn't be because they are Africans or Christians, could it?
40
Christians killed in attacks in Nigeria
28
February, 2019
JOS,
Nigeria (BP) -- At least 32 people were killed in a Muslim Fulani
herder attack on a Christian area of north-central Nigeria on Tuesday
(Feb. 26), sources told a Morning Star News correspondent.
Photo
from Wikimedia Commons
The
early morning assault on villages in and around Maro, in Kajuru
County of Kaduna state, came after a Feb. 10 herdsmen attack on
Angwan Barde, in the same county, that killed 10 Catholic Christians
along with an unborn child.
In
this week's attack in Maro, the Fulani herdsmen also reportedly
damaged church buildings and property. And the Evangelical Church
Winning All (ECWA) reported that many of its missionaries working
among the area Adara and Katari ethnic groups have been displaced.
A
boarding school for the missionaries' children in Kufana town has
been closed, said the Rev. Bakari Ibrahim, director of the ECWA's
Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS).
"Please
pray for peace in Kaduna state -- hundreds have been displaced and
hundreds killed by the Fulani jihadists," he told Morning Star
News in a text message. "We evacuated about a hundred EMS kids
from Kufana for safety.
Many of our missionaries working among the
Kadara tribe and some in Katari areas have been displaced. Please
keep praying for our nation."
A
women's fellowship leader of the ECWA congregation in Maro who
requested anonymity told Morning Star News that women were meeting at
the church building when the herdsmen invaded.
"We
ran out of the church building as the shooting was going on,"
she said on Feb. 26. "Many have been killed, and I have not seen
my family members since morning. I have escaped out of the area."
Other
messages to Morning Star News reflected similar alarm. "The
armed herdsmen are shooting anyone they see and are setting fire on
houses and church buildings," one Christian who requested
anonymity said by phone.
Another
survivor wrote in a text message, "There is an outbreak of
violent attacks ongoing at Maro in Kajuru LG [Local Government Area]
of Kaduna state. The people are in serious distress right now."
Area
resident Mordecai Funom Ibrahim wrote in a text message that about
400 armed Fulanis attacked villages around Maro at about 6 a.m.
Another resident pleaded, "Can the governor of Kaduna state send
security personnel to Karamai in Maro of Kajuru Local Government
Area? There's an ongoing attack by Fulani gunmen on Christians."
Blogger
Mercy Musa Swanta of Kaduna state wrote on Facebook that local
residents offered some defense.
"The
villagers stood against the Fulani who came fully clothed in military
uniform," she wrote. "But they had to withdraw due to high
number and superior firepower of the Fulani. Mobile policemen came
but also retreated, one operation Yaki [police] vehicle burnt.
Military now engaging the Fulani. Battle still going on. Casualties
unknown but could
be
high."
At
least 32 bodies had reportedly been buried at the time this report
was filed, including that of a policeman, with many Christian
residents still unaccounted for.
A
spokesman for the governor said the government was saddened by the
attack, and that security agencies were working to contain the
aggression in Kajuru and neighboring Kachia County.
Attack
in Angwan Barde
The
Feb. 10 Muslim Fulani herdsmen attack on Angwan Barde that killed 11
people left five others wounded, residents said.
Survivors
told Morning Star News that armed herdsmen in large numbers
surrounded the village at about 11 p.m. that Sunday night. Area
resident Ja'afaru Samaila, 21, said by phone that the herdsmen killed
five members of his family.
"We
heard gun shots, and this forced me and my family to remain in our
bedrooms as it was difficult for us to run out of the house," he
told Morning Star News. "The Fulani gunmen surrounded our house
and were shooting and shouting, 'Allahu akbar [God is greater].' They
killed my father, mother, two brothers, and one of my
sisters-in-law."
The
village head of Angwan Barde, Daniel Audu, 48, told Morning Star News
by phone that the attack came as a surprise as they've never had any
problems with the herdsmen.
"We
have never had any misunderstanding with the Fulani herdsmen, so I
don't know why they attacked our village," Audu said. "Ten
members of my community, including a pregnant woman, were killed
during the attack, thus making the unborn child to be the eleventh
victim."
Christians
make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population, while Muslims living
primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45 percent.
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