Barnabas Eide reported on Tuesday that Islamic extremists systematically attacked Christian communities in northeastern Nigeria on New Year's Day, killing at least 14 people.
of islamistdressed as soldiersriding motorcycles and trucks equipped with machine guns, stormed Gatamalwa and Tsiha villages in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
Jihadists opened fire on residents of Gatamalwa, including a group of Christian mourners returning from a funeral. They also set many houses on fire after looting food items.
The Barnabas Foundation points out that Boko Haram jihadists are also suspected of killing Christian pastor Luka Levong during a January 5 attack in Geidam, Yobe state, which borders Borno state. did. Gunmen shot and killed Pastor Luka along with the church's treasurer, Maina Abdullahi, and four others at around 2am.
The attackers also burned down several houses and churches during the attack on the community.
These deadly January attacks followed a Christmas killing spree in Nigeria's central belt that left nearly 300 Christians dead. died.
FILE/April 14, 2019 A young Christian Adara boy prays with his mother during Sunday service at Ekwa Church in Kajuru, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The ongoing conflict between Muslim pastoralists and Christian farmers has become a divisive issue for some Nigerians and some people. other countries in West Africa. (Louis Tato/AFP via Getty Images)
The Islamist Christmas massacre in central Nigeria's Plateau state, which received little coverage in mainstream media, began on December 23 and continued until December 27. The death toll was initially reported to be around 175, but the death toll has since increased to nearly 300. .
“The unprovoked attacks were well-organized, planned, and specifically targeted Christian communities.'' Said Father Andrew Dewan, communications director for Pankshin Parish, where the killings took place.
“I can say with certainty that 100% of the victims were Christians,” the priest said, adding, “Not a single Fulani was harmed and no Fulani homes were burned.”
“For those who believe this conflict is not religious, this attack clearly proves that it is,” Dewan said.
Where is the international outrage and condemnation? Why doesn't Joe Biden hold a press conference to denounce it now? https://t.co/d3AX86wU21
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“The fact that it happened on Christmas Day, and that Christians were deliberately targeted in a mixed community where Muslims were not attacked, clearly has all the hallmarks of a religious conflict,” he added. Ta.
The priest said Christians were “instantly shot” and “their homes and the corn they were harvesting were set on fire.” Churches and clinics were also set on fire. ”
“For those who believe this conflict is not religious, this attack clearly proves that it is,” Dewan said.
This image made from an AFPTV video taken on December 27, 2023 in Mayanga village, Bockos local government, shows relatives killed in a deadly attack by armed groups buried in a mass grave in Nigeria's central Plateau state Shows a family. (KIM MASARA/AFPTV/AFP (via Getty)
“The fact that it happened on Christmas Day, and that Christians were deliberately targeted in a mixed community where Muslims were not attacked, clearly has all the hallmarks of a religious conflict,” he added. Ta.
“The attack was deliberate and symbolic in its timing,” the priest said.
“There were rumors in the mainstream media and social media that the Fulanis were going to attack and their aim was to inflict suffering and maximum destruction on Christians.”
Thomas D. Williams is Breitbart's Rome bureau chief and “ The coming persecution of Christians.
