In Mbacher, a village in Benue State, Nigeria, eighteen Christians were tragically killed in a violent attack by Fulani extremists. This incident reflects a disturbing trend of escalating violence that has claimed over 8,000 Christian lives in 2023, with Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger bearing the brunt of the attacks.
Nigeria has the dubious distinction of leading in global Christian killings, accounting for 90% of such deaths that year. Radicalized Fulani herdsmen and groups like Boko Haram often carry out these assaults, exploiting religious and economic tensions.
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to address the ongoing violence, especially against Christian communities. However, progress remains elusive, prompting criticism of empty promises and inadequate government responses.
Ethno-Religious Divisions in Nigeria
The violence in Nigeria underscores deep-seated ethno-religious divides between the Muslim North and Christian South. Government failures, corruption, and perceived bias within security forces have hindered efforts to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable.
Calls for international intervention have grown louder, with proposals for diplomatic pressure and UN involvement to address the crisis head-on.