Tragic Abduction and Murder of Village Head Highlights Christian…

Yuda Garba, a village head in central Nigeria, was found dead after his kidnapping by suspected Fulani herdsmen on March 11. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence against Christians in the area, with numerous abductions reported. Nigeria ranks among the most dangerous countries for Christians, with rising tensions and attacks attributed to militant groups and land disputes.

On March 17, it was reported that Yuda Garba, the village head of Dnako, central Nigeria, had been found dead after being kidnapped on March 11. Suspected Fulani herdsmen abducted Garba along with seven others, including his grandchildren, Ephraim and Philemon. Villagers discovered his remains in Nomadic Forest, close to the border with Kaduna state. Authorities have intensified their search for the remaining victims.

A group of armed herdsmen attacked the village at midnight, forcibly taking the victims while they were asleep. Villager Tanko Baba confirmed, “The bandits who we believe are Fulani herdsmen kidnapped the victims as they were sleeping in their houses.” Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for Abuja Federal Capital Territory Police Command, stated that police are actively pursuing the bandits in hopes of rescuing the victims.

This incident is not isolated; on January 26, a similar abduction occurred in the predominantly Christian community of Chikakore, where four individuals from the Adesiyan Akinropo family were kidnapped. In another case, Ishaya Kukah, the brother of Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, was abducted along with six others on March 5 by Fulani bandits in Anchuna village, Kaduna state. This was further confirmed by Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for Kaduna State Police Command, who assured that efforts were underway for victim rescue.

The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) reported that while the majority of the Fulani people do not adhere to extremist views, some do subscribe to radical Islamism and employ strategies akin to Boko Haram. This trend has resulted in targeted attacks against Christians, which Christian leaders attribute to attempts to seize arable land due to desertification challenges.

According to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, Nigeria is regarded as one of the most perilous countries for Christians. The list indicates that 3,100 out of 4,476 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during the reporting period were from Nigeria. It highlights the severity of anti-Christian violence which has peaked, with numerous jihadist groups and Fulani militia continuing to attack Christian communities in the Middle Belt, amid growing insecurity and abductions for ransom across the country.

The violence has also expanded to southern regions, where new jihadist groups like Lakurawa, associated with Al-Qaeda, have emerged, further complicating an already dire situation for Christians. Notably, Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 World Watch List among the fifty worst countries for Christians.

The tragic reports regarding the abduction and murder of Yuda Garba, alongside ongoing kidnappings and violence against Christians in Nigeria, illustrate a troubling trend of targeted attacks amid rising insecurity. The involvement of militant groups and the complex dynamics of land ownership complicate these grave circumstances, emphasizing the urgent need for protective measures for Christian communities. With Nigeria ranked as one of the most dangerous places for Christians worldwide, international attention and action are paramount to mitigate this crisis.

Original Source: www.christiandaily.com