By Palang Paul
Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations and Christian Genocide, at least seventeen Christians were killed by suspected Fulani militias in a fresh wave of coordinated attacks on Plateau and Kaduna border communities.
The assaults, which occurred late Friday, October 31, left residents in deep mourning and renewed fear.
In the first attack, gunmen invaded Kwi village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing twelve people in a brutal onslaught that lasted several hours.
That same night, another attack was launched in Damakasuwa, a border town between Plateau and Kaduna states. By morning, five bodies were recovered — among them the community’s youth leader, Mr. Bala Rudeh, a man widely respected for his tireless advocacy for peace and protection of his people.
For years, Rudeh had appealed to government authorities to act decisively against the recurring violence. His pleas, however, were met with silence and inaction.
Witnesses said the attackers stormed Damakasuwa around midnight, shooting indiscriminately for more than 30 minutes.
The Community Development Association (CDA) of Tsam Land, in a statement signed by its National PRO, Comrade Yohanna Bishara, described the incident as “Black Friday” and “a great loss of an icon.”
“Indeed, Tsam land is bleeding,” the statement read. “Our national youth leader, Mr. Bala Rudeh, was shot dead alongside six others, while several others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.”
The CDA condemned the killings and urged security agencies to launch a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We call on government security agencies to intervene and prevent a recurrence of these deadly incidents,” the statement added. “We urge our people to remain calm, as God is surely working behind the scenes.”
As of press time, neither the Plateau nor Kaduna State Government had issued an official response to the attacks.
Residents say the killings are part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has plagued Nigeria’s Middle Belt — violence that many describe as being met with troubling indifference from those in authority.
Post Comment