[Today’s Prayer] Over 50 Christians massacred in central Nigeria

About 50 Christians were brutally murdered in a Christian village located in Ukum County, Benue State, Nigeria.

Britain's Christian Today (CT) reported the news, saying, "It appears that this attack was committed by Fulani herdsmen in collaboration with a gang with criminal motives."

This incident occurred around 5 pm on the 8th (local time). “Militia suspected to be Fulani herdsmen killed at least 50 Christians in Ayati village,” said local resident Tivta Samuel. Another local resident, Abraham Waroh, also identified Fulani herdsman militia as the attackers.

The violence reportedly stemmed from a land dispute, with criminals accused of selling villagers' land to Fulani herdsmen.

Shima Ayati, a local resident and gubernatorial candidate, said, “After the shepherds started grazing their livestock on the land, farmers complained to government authorities. The government sent a national security team, and they came and chased the shepherds out and burned their tents. “The shepherds were angry at this.”

“The shepherds claimed that the bandits had sold the land to them, and the shepherds and bandits went to the Christian villages and committed massacres. “The shepherds, enraged by the destruction of their property, collaborated with criminal organizations and committed revenge massacres,” he said.

Security forces intervened to separate the farmers and shepherds, but they failed to provide adequate protection to the area, leaving villagers vulnerable to further attacks. As a result, 50 Christians suffered the terrible consequences.

Speaking to the Christian Daily-Morning Star News (CDI-MSN), the Benue State Police Command Spokesperson, Catherine Anene, acknowledged the high level of banditry activities in government areas of Ukum, Logo and Castina-Ala localities. “Police and security agency personnel were deployed to the affected areas, and their operations forced the bandits to retreat,” he said.

Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous countries for Christians. According to Open Door's list of countries where Christians are persecuted this year, 4,118 people were killed for their faith in Nigeria from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. Christian kidnapping cases were also the highest at 3,300.

Christian leaders in Nigeria said, “The herdsmen’s attacks are motivated by a desire to seize the lands and free lands of Christians, ultimately to impose Islamic rule. “In addition, the problem of making a living in the region’s harsh desertification environment has further worsened,” he said.

Source: News

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. (Psalm 18:17-18)

God, we hear the sad news of the massacre of more than 50 Christians in central Nigeria.

May you reign over those who have been unable to control their anger and have committed slaughter.

Forgive the sins of the people who have rebelled against your word and have been driven by their own anger and retribution.

Comfort the bereaved families of the village in their great pain and sorrow, and grant them the peace that the world cannot give.

How much martyr's blood has been spilled on the soil of Nigeria, considered one of the most dangerous countries for Christians. We believe that all fear and suffering will leave this land and heavenly revival will come.

Let there be a revival of a mighty church in the land of Nigeria that the world will not be able to handle and the gates of hades will not be able to overcome! Let the Nigerian church be a church that is not afraid to defend its faith and follow You to the end, and let the faith that it defends with all its life flow through all the land!