May 12, 2025
At least six people were brutally killed and several others injured in a recent attack on the predominantly Christian communities of Marit and Gashish in Barkin Ladi county of Plateau state, Nigeria.
The attackers, believed to be part of a suspected Fulani militant network, descended on the villages under the cover of darkness, catching residents off guard and leaving devastation in their wake.
Local authorities confirmed the attack, with Stephen Pwajok Gyang, chair of Barkin Ladi County, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy. Gyang condemned the killings and revealed that the victims were laid to rest in a mass burial on Monday. He praised the courage of local vigilantes and security personnel while calling for stronger, proactive measures to prevent further violence.
“The recent resurgence of violence in our communities is a painful setback,” Gyang said during his visit to victims receiving treatment at Barkin Ladi General Hospital. “This is a time we are working hard to stabilize and rebuild. We must not allow these attacks to destroy our unity.”
This tragic incident comes amid a troubling trend. In March and April of 2025, coordinated attacks across Plateau’s Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas claimed the lives of more than 150 Christians, including women and children. Human rights groups and international observers have long warned of a slow-burning genocide against Nigeria’s Christian farming communities, especially in the Middle Belt.
According to recent intelligence obtained by TruthNigeria, an independent investigative media outlet, suspected Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) fighters are regrouping and possibly planning coordinated offensives across the state. The latest killing of three Berom Christians, including a baby, in Gashish is seen as a chilling indicator of what may lie ahead.
Local advocacy groups such as the Berom Youth Moulder-Association (BYM) warn that these attacks are not isolated but are part of a broader effort to displace indigenous Christian populations from their ancestral lands. “What is happening is not just banditry or random violence,” a BYM spokesperson said. “This is an intentional campaign of ethnic and religious cleansing.”
Security analysts echo these concerns. Garus Abednago, a Plateau-based conflict researcher, believes the pattern of smaller attacks is meant to test local defenses and instill fear among villagers. “These attacks are strategic, designed to intimidate and prepare the ground for broader territorial control,” he said.
Dr. Walid Abdullahi, an expert in African security studies, added, “Plateau State holds strategic importance in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Whoever controls Plateau can influence surrounding states. That’s why militant groups view this region as critical to their expansionist agenda.”
Nigeria ranks among the world’s most dangerous countries for Christians, according to watchdog organizations like International Christian Concern (ICC). For years, Christians have faced escalating attacks, including mass killings, abductions, and the destruction of churches and farmlands. The Nigerian government has often failed to hold perpetrators accountable, further fueling impunity.
Human rights advocates are urging the international community, especially the United States, to take decisive action. This includes pressuring the Nigerian government to prioritize the protection of Christian communities, increasing humanitarian support for displaced families, and recognizing the crisis as a religious persecution emergency.
In the face of ongoing tragedy, community leaders, like Gyang, continue to call for unity, resilience, and collaboration.
“We cannot surrender to fear,” he said. “Together, with our security forces, faith leaders, and global partners, we can resist this darkness and build a peaceful future for our children.”
Stay Awake. Keep Watch.
SOURCE: International Christian Concern