Nigeria Christians Pray Amid Middle Belt Violence
In the heart of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Christian communities are facing a deadly wave of violence. In Plateau State, especially in the Miango District of Bassa County, residents have turned to prayer amid ongoing attacks that continue to claim lives and destroy homes.
On July 9, churches across the region came together for a special day of prayer. The event was led by local Christian leaders, calling on God for peace and healing. The prayer movement followed a rise in attacks believed to be carried out by armed groups linked to herdsmen.
Rev. Joshua Bari and Rev. Adamson Gado, speaking on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Irigwe Ministers Forum, urged believers to intercede for their communities. They described the prayer gathering as a desperate appeal for divine help in the face of what they see as government neglect.
Just weeks before the gathering, violence erupted again. On June 26, gunmen stormed Jebbu Miango village, killing one and injuring two others. That same day, farmlands in nearby villages were razed. The motive, locals say, appears to be a strategic attempt to drive them off their ancestral lands.
In a separate attack on June 23, three people were killed in the Teegbe area, including two children. Several others were left injured. Villagers have raised alarm over what they call a disturbing pattern targeted killings in largely Christian areas by armed militias.
Community elder Joseph Chudu said the attacks follow a clear trend. “These are not random acts of violence. They are coordinated. And we will keep demanding protection and justice,” he told Christian Daily International Morning Star News.
Other villages like Kpachudu and Nkiendowro have also suffered recent losses. In one reported incident, a baby and two women were among those killed. The rising death toll has deepened fear, frustration, and grief among survivors.
Global attention turned to Nigeria during the Baptist World Congress held in Brisbane, Australia, from July 7–12. Delegates from across the world paused to pray for the Nigerian church, expressing solidarity with those enduring religious persecution.
The organizers called it a moment of deep unity, praying for “strength, comfort, and justice” for Nigerian Christians and others suffering for their faith.
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While not all members of the Fulani ethnic group are involved in violence, some radicalized elements have reportedly embraced extremist views. A UK parliamentary report in 2020 noted that certain factions of Fulani herdsmen appear to be targeting Christian communities and symbols of their faith.
Christian leaders in Nigeria argue that the violence is not only religious it is also about land. As desertification forces herders southward, clashes with farming communities have escalated. The result is a growing humanitarian crisis, especially in the country’s central belt.
According to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, Nigeria is now ranked seventh among the most dangerous countries for Christians. The report states that out of 4,476 Christians killed for their faith globally, over 3,000 were from Nigeria.
Beyond these ethnic and land-related clashes, northern Nigeria continues to reel under the threat of extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. These insurgents frequently target Christian populations with abductions, killings, and assaults. A new group, Lakurawa, has also emerged, reportedly linked to al-Qaeda’s West African arm.
For many Christians in Nigeria, the situation is dire. But in the face of danger, they continue to find strength in prayer, holding on to faith as a shield against fear.
Content Credit | Dada Blessing
Image Credit | hrw.org
