October 2, 2026
At least 25 Christians were killed in two weekend attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, according to information reported by International Christian Concern.
ICC reported that the violence began late Saturday, July 11, in the Kum and Wereng-Comp communities of Ryom County in Plateau state, where residents said armed Fulani attackers entered the area around 11:30 p.m. The attack left nine members of one Christian family dead, including a 2-month-old child, according to a local resident who spoke with ICC and asked not to be identified.
“Why would the terrorist kill an infant?” the resident told ICC. “This was to wipe out all the Christians.”
The resident said that people in the community had received warnings through social media that an attack might be coming, but said residents had little ability to defend themselves.
“We’re on alert but not prepared since we don’t have guns,” the resident told ICC.
The nine victims were later buried in a mass grave, according to ICC. Among those targeted was a village leader, who was critically injured. The resident who spoke with ICC said the leader had opposed the destruction of farmland by grazing cattle and had spoken against Fulani encroachment in community meetings.
ICC also reported that the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Molders Association confirmed the Plateau attack in a press release and said it happened near a Nigerian army checkpoint. The association said soldiers did not intervene despite the presence of Fulani in large numbers.
A second attack was reported hours later in Benue state, where gunmen struck the Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area early Sunday, July 12. According to ICC, residents said the attack began between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., when armed assailants fired on residents and burned property.
ICC reported that casualty counts differed after the Benue attack. Local resident Comfort Inalegwu, who joined demonstrations after the killings, said at least 16 people were killed, including her sister and two of her sister’s children. Benue police reported eight deaths and five injuries, while Amnesty International Nigeria said at least 10 people had been killed.
Families were still searching for missing residents after the attack, and several people were injured, according to ICC.
The killings prompted protests in the area. ICC reported that women and young people blocked sections of major roads, including the Makurdi-Otukpo and Enugu-Otukpo highways, while demanding greater protection from authorities and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack in a statement issued through his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, ICC reported. The governor directed security agencies to increase surveillance in vulnerable communities, work with neighboring states and pursue those responsible.
No group had publicly claimed responsibility for either attack at the time ICC reported the incidents. Residents and local representatives blamed suspected armed Fulani militants, but authorities had not publicly confirmed the identity, motive or affiliation of the attackers.
Plateau and Benue states are located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region where predominantly Christian farming communities have endured repeated attacks, displacement and destruction of farmland. ICC noted that the violence in the region involves overlapping factors, including land disputes, ethnic tensions, criminal activity, religious hostility and the movement of armed groups.
The latest killings follow a June attack on the Yelwata community in Benue, where about 150 people were killed. Nigerian prosecutors later filed terrorism-related charges against nine men accused of planning and supporting that assault, according to ICC.
Families affected by the newest attacks are seeking security, medical care for survivors, help locating missing relatives and assistance for those displaced. Community leaders also are calling for sustained security in vulnerable villages and for suspects to be brought before a court.
Founded in 1995, International Christian Concern works to assist the persecuted church worldwide through assistance, advocacy, and awareness. The organization was founded by Steve Snyder after his earlier work with Christian Solidarity International’s U.S. division.
Share with others
