More than 30 people have been killed in the Bindi community of Plateau State, Nigeria, in yet another brutal attack that highlights the worsening religious and ethnic violence in the country.
According to religious persecution watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), heavily armed militia men, identified by survivors as being of Fulani ethnicity, stormed the community at around 3am on 15th July, killing residents in their homes.
Victims, including a three-year-old girl, were shot, stabbed or burned to death. The local leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev Davou Musa, lost nine members of his family. The church building itself was also targeted, with windows smashed and livestock looted before the attackers left the village.
CSW said the violence took place despite the presence of security agencies nearby. Survivors reported that officials failed to act on early signs of danger, including the arrival of men in five pickup trucks at a nearby Fulani settlement. However, some military units were praised for preventing even more bloodshed. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Division later visited the community and promised to increase security.
Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang condemned the violence, calling it “terrorism” and “genocide, plain and simple.” He also stressed that security personnel who fail to carry out their duty must be identified and removed from their positions.
CSW CEO Scot Bower strongly condemened the attack and echoed Governor Mutfwang’s call for security reform. "The scale of loss being experienced by families and communities in these areas is simply staggering. We concur with Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s assessment of this violence and echo his call for those in the security services who fail in their duty to protect civilians from this militia threat to be identified and dismissed.
"In addition, we urge the government of Kaduna State to secure and protect Kajuru and other LGAs that continue to experience attacks, which can only be described as terrorism, that began under the previous administration, and to ensure perpetrators are held to account. "
Since September 2024, at least 73 people are reported to have been killed in Bindi alone, with ongoing violence across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas (LGAs) claiming hundreds—possibly thousands—of lives.
Attacks have continued in other states. In Kaduna State, five Christians were killed and three seriously injured in a 11th July attack on an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) building in Kampani Village during a meeting. The assault began in broad daylight, around 3.30pm, yet help from the security services did not arrive until nearly six hours later.
The victims—Victor Haruna, Dogara Jatau, Luka Yari, Jesse Dalami and Bawu John—were all members of the church. Those injured are currently receiving hospital treatment.
Meanwhile, In Katsina State, details have emerged of a 7th July attack on the Yari Bori community in Kafur LGA. The incident began following a women’s choir rehearsal, when gunmen surrounded the village late at night.
Rev Emmanuel Na’allah, leader of Bege Baptist Church, was shot and killed after refusing to reveal the whereabouts of a neighbouring Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor. The pastor’s wife, Maryam Ezekiel, was abducted and remains in captivity.
Nigeria is ranked 7th on the 2025 Open Doors World Watch List highlighting 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
