Fulani Herdsmen Massacre Over 60 Christians in Nigeria Genocide
Rampage in Plateau State
Fulani herdsmen unleashed terror in Plateau state, Nigeria, claiming over 60 Christian lives in early April. Local leaders branded the violence genocide, highlighting deep ethno-religious divides in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. For two harrowing days, attackers burned homes, stole food, and drove thousands from their villages, leaving communities in ruins.
Around 3 p.m. on April 2, armed men roared into Bokkos County on motorcycles, striking seven villages: Hurti, Ruwi, Mangor, Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, and Tadai. Gunfire erupted, and residents fled to nearby bushes. In Hurti, for instance, attackers killed over 40 Christians and displaced 1,000 more, said Maren Aradong, a local leader. Moreover, they torched 383 homes and looted food stores, stripping survivors of hope.
Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of the Bokkos Community Development Council, shared the grim count. On April 2, assailants killed 21 Christians. Then, overnight, the violence worsened. By April 3, they had slain 40 more. In Ruwi, for example, gunmen shot 11 Christians at a wake. The next morning, they returned, killing 10 others. Consequently, survivors faced immense grief.
Official Outcry and Accusations
Governor Caleb Mutfwang addressed the crisis on Arise News on April 7. He boldly called the attacks genocide, arguing they lacked any provocation. “I say it unreservedly,” he stated, challenging critics to prove political motives. His stance reflected widespread anger. Indeed, many locals feel Nigeria’s government does little to stop the bloodshed.
The Fulani, a vast Muslim ethnic group, include peaceful herders across Nigeria. However, some factions adopt extremist views, mirroring groups like Boko Haram. According to a 2020 UK report, these militants target Christians with jihadist tactics. Christian leaders, therefore, claim the attacks seek to grab fertile lands, as desertification forces herders south.
Broader Conflict Patterns
The Bokkos raids follow a trend in the Middle Belt. Unlike northern Nigeria, where Boko Haram reigns, land disputes here often spark violence, worsened by religious divides. Attackers destroyed crops and homes, aiming to uproot villages. As a result, families now face starvation, their farms in ashes.
Take a Manguna farmer’s ordeal. On April 2, he ran from his fields as attackers hit. Hiding, he saw his house burn. His family escaped, but neighbors perished. Such stories multiply, fueling despair. Furthermore, survivors lack aid, as government support often arrives late.
Nigeria battles multiple threats. Besides Fulani militias, ISWAP and Lakurawa, tied to Al-Qaeda, intensify attacks. Kidnappings and assaults haunt Christian villages. For instance, Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List ranks Nigeria seventh for Christian persecution, citing thousands killed and churches destroyed.
Debate and Desperation
Mutfwang’s genocide label sparked discussion. Some point to climate change, driving herders into farmlands, as a factor. Nevertheless, locals see faith under siege. Attackers hit churches and gatherings, like Ruwi’s wake, with precision. Thus, the religious angle feels clear to many.
Security forces reached Plateau, yet locals deem efforts feeble. Attackers slip away before help comes. Fuddang demanded tougher measures, like grazing laws or prosecutions. Still, Nigeria’s ethnic and religious splits hinder action.
Meanwhile, displaced families fill camps, sharing tales of loss. A Tadai mother, widowed in the raids, fears for her children. She avoids her village, scarred by memories. Her struggle reflects countless others. Despite this, resilience shines through.
Groups like Christian Daily International report the atrocities. Even so, global focus wanes, lost to other crises. For Plateau’s Christians, however, the battle persists. As night falls over Bokkos, April’s wounds remain fresh, marking a conflict with no end in sight.
