Yuda Garba, village head of Dnako, was found dead following his kidnapping along with seven other Christians by armed Fulani herdsmen on March 11. Security forces are searching for other victims, while incidents of such violence against Christians continue to rise in Nigeria, highlighting a dire situation for Christian communities throughout the region.
A tragic incident reported from central Nigeria involved the death of Yuda Garba, the village head of Dnako, who was kidnapped on March 11 along with seven other Christians. His body was discovered on March 17 in the Nomadic Forest near Kuyeri, close to the Federal Capital Territory. Villagers identified Garba’s remains, prompting security forces to intensify efforts to locate the remaining victims of this incident.
On the fateful night of March 11, a group of armed individuals, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded Dnako village, kidnapping Garba, his grandchildren Ephraim and Philemon, and four other Christians. Local resident Tanko Baba described how the assailants forcefully took victims from their homes while they were asleep, highlighting the terror inflicted on the community.
Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Abuja police, confirmed that law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the area in pursuit of the kidnappers. She expressed hope for the rescue of the abducted individuals. This incident is part of a broader trend of violence in the region, exemplified by the abduction of four individuals in the nearby community of Chikakore just weeks earlier.
In another related incident, Ishaya Kukah, the brother of the Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, was abducted on March 5 in Kaduna state along with six others, including women and children. Samuel Kukah, a family member, recounted how the kidnappers struck during the night, emphasizing the fear and trauma experienced by many Christian families in the region.
According to a 2020 report by the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG), while most Fulani people do not adhere to extremist ideologies, a radical faction targets Christians. This group employs tactics similar to Boko Haram, aiming to seize land and impose Islamic practices amid growing challenges from desertification.
Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List ranks Nigeria as one of the deadliest nations for Christians, revealing that 3,100 of the 4,476 Christians killed globally in a given timeframe were from Nigeria. The report notes that anti-Christian violence has reached an unprecedented level, especially in the North-Central region, where Christian farming communities face severe threats, attacks, and abductions.
The violence is now affecting southern states, leading to the emergence of new extremist groups armed with advanced weaponry. The growing trend of abductions for ransom highlights an alarming security crisis in Nigeria, where Christians are increasingly targeted.
In summary, the kidnapping and eventual death of Yuda Garba, alongside a series of violent incidents against Christians in Nigeria, underscore the severe security challenges in the region. The activities of armed herdsmen, alongside radical groups, contribute to a climate of fear and violence for Christian communities. Nigeria’s ranking as one of the most dangerous places for Christians, as reported by Open Doors, emphasizes the urgent need for action to address this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.christiandaily.com
