6/21/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — An attack on Monday, June 17, resulted in the deaths of five Christians in Ewehko Village, also known as Anguwan Paul, located in the Maro Ward of Kajuru county.
The assailants, suspected militant Fulani Muslims, stormed the village with AK-47s and machetes shouting, “Allah Akbar” or “Allah is Great,” at about 2:15 p.m. as a group of Christians conducted a prayer meeting for the community. Locals told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer that five people were killed, including an officer at the door of the church.
Eyewitnesses reported that the terrorists opened fire indiscriminately, killing four men and one woman. In addition to the loss of life, several motorcycles were set ablaze during the attack. Benjamin Maro, a resident of the village, confirmed the tragic event and condemned the brutal attack. Search efforts are currently underway in the surrounding areas to locate any additional victims who may still be missing. Maro also said the attackers set the pastor’s house on fire as well as several motorcycles of church leaders who came for the prayer meeting.
Kaduna State has experienced ongoing insecurity due to violence perpetrated by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, making it crucial to address the underlying issues contributing to the instability in the region.
“We received an early warning to leave the community, and we couldn’t believe it, thinking it was just a rumor,” said Angwan Magani, a leader of the Evangelical Church Winning ALL (ECWA). “Despite not believing, we told the security, but they refused to protect us because we are Christians.”
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