More Violence in Nigeria: Fulani Muslims Slaughter Hundreds, Mostly Women and Children

More Violence in Nigeria: Fulani Muslims Slaughter Hundreds, Mostly Women and Children

Charlottesville, VA - March 9, 2010 - The following report was sent to Rae Burnett, Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, by Gabriel Barau, the leader of Missionary Crusaders Ministries in Nigeria. The Jos community, still in recovery mode from Januarys violence, was awakened at 2 a.m. on March 7 by Fulani Muslims who set fire to houses and vehicles, and butchered or shot those who tried to escape. They killed over 500 people, mostly women and children.

A Nigerian newspaper reported that entire villages were littered with corpses. No fewer than 70 houses were burnt and many vehicles were set ablaze.

Since January, the Jos community has been put under security and told to observe a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Many are now refusing to abide by the curfew because of their shattered confidence in the security agents. The Chairman of Jos South Local Government said that the cause of the attack is yet to be ascertained.

The Fulani tribe is the largest nomadic people group in the world, with more than 20 million wandering the savannahs of West Africa. Most are zealous Muslims.

With financial help from Christian Aid Mission, Missionary Crusaders Ministries has recently experienced tremendous breakthroughs in ministry to Fulani tribespeople. The ministry began its work among this tribe in 2002. MCM missionaries join the nomadic life of the Fulani or place themselves at strategic stopping places where tribal wanderers trade and pick up needed supplies. These missionaries take every opportunity to befriend the nomads and present Christ to them.

Pastor Ardo, left, a native Fulani tribesman, became a missionary after he accepted Christ several years ago. He has won numerous Fulani people to Christ and formed a congregation of new believers. Christian Aid provided funds to construct a simple meeting hall for them. Muslims killed three of his children in an effort to persuade him to deny Christ and return to Islam.
Ardo, an MCM missionary and native Fulani, was imprisoned and tortured by his tribal elders for his belief in Christ. During that time, his wife and children were also threatened and tortured. In an attempt to force his denial of Christ, three of his children were poisoned and killed.

Since his release, Ardo has continued to evangelize and disciple his Fulani people. Christian Aid has helped to provide his support and also sent funds to construct a modest church building for a congregation of his converts.

Fulani who accept Christ as Savior are at great risk of being killed by the Fulani community, which is very hostile toward the gospel. MCM has begun building a compound to shelter new believers, where they will be discipled, educated, and taught an income-generating skill before returning to their people with the gospel. For information on how you can share in this project, email rae@christianaid.org.