Christian persecution watchdog Release International has called on the Nigerian government to do more to protect Christians after two children and an unborn baby were murdered by Islamic Fulani militants. 

The latest attack took place on 14th April when heavily armed Fulani militants stormed the village of Hura in Plateau State. One witness recalled the scene to Release International: "Fulanis came and almost surrounded the village, shouting 'Allahu akbar! Come out, come out!'"

Another added: "The attackers appeared from different directions in large numbers and set many houses ablaze." 

At one point, two pregnant women were attempting to flee the shooting when one of the women's children - a five-year-old - fell. Tragically, the fighters murdered the innocent child. "The child was screaming," one of the witnesses explained. "She slipped and fell and they killed her." 

In total, the militants killed nine villagers, including two young children and a pregnant woman. 

Tribal chief, Rev Ronku Aka, said: "This killing is more dangerous than the coronavirus. It is incessant. I am calling on the government to have mercy and come to our aid."

"The attackers appear to be acting with impunity," said another partner of Release International. "They invade communities with no fear of being challenged. The blood of the innocent is pleading for justice." 

Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi said: "In the north of Nigeria where I live there have been so many killings, together with the destruction of homes, farms, properties, churches. The stories can be heart breaking." 

Now, Release International is calling on the governing authorities to do more to combat the violence.

CEO Paul Robinson said: "First came Boko Haram, and then the Fulani militants who continued the attacks against Nigeria’s Christian minority, And these attacks are continuing unabated in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our message to Nigeria and the international community is: in the name of humanity, you cannot sit back and watch this happen. The jihad that Boko Haram began is being perpetuated by armed Fulani who are killing Christians and forcing them from their land. You must intervene." 

Archbishop Kwashi added: ‘We have been sent out like lambs, but we have a gospel worth living for and a gospel worth dying for. And that gospel cannot be burnt out or destroyed.’