At least 12 Christians killed in Nigeria in three days
A Baptist pastor killed on September 20 was identified by his wife as Reverend Andy Samuel, 53.
Local sources reported at least 12 Christians killed in three days at the end of September in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria, Christian Daily International – Morning Star News reported.
The villages attacked in three days
On September 24, in the mostly Christian village of Kworos Gangare, Phillip Luka, 25, and Sunday John, 34, were killed. Community leader Rwang Tengwong said so. That same day, according to Tengwong, two Christians were killed in Nghar (Ex-land) and three in Gassa.
The three in Gassa were Ishaya Pam Dung, 47; Barnabas Gyang Jack, 23; and Manasseh Luka Mushwer, 26. Two others died in Rubung, the community leader added.
«None of those lives was outside God's sight»
Two days later, on September 26, five Christians were killed and two were injured in the village of Marit, resident Luka Japson said. They were buried on Wednesday, September 30.
"The five Christians were killed by Fulani herders at 1 p.m. while they were working at a mining site" (translation by Sígueme), Japson told Christian Daily International – Morning Star News.
Joyce Ramnap, Plateau State Commissioner for Information, confirmed the attacks. She condemned the events and asked residents of those communities to remain calm while work is underway to curb the violence.
The identity of a Baptist pastor killed on September 20 in the community of Kantoma, in the Barkin Ladi area, became known days later. His wife gave his name at a funeral on September 25: Reverend Andy Samuel, 53.
The country where most Christians die for their faith
Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, 4,849 Christians died for their faith worldwide, according to Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List. Of them, 3,490 — 72% — were Nigerian, compared to 3,100 the previous year. Nigeria ranks 7th among the 50 countries where it is hardest to follow Jesus.
A 2020 report by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief notes that the Fulani, millions of people spread across hundreds of clans, mostly do not hold extremist positions, although some do adopt a jihadist-style Islamist ideology.
Nigerian Christian leaders maintain that the herder attacks in the center of the country aim to take land from Christian communities. The World Watch List adds that the violence reached southern states and that in the northwest Lakurawa emerged, a jihadist group linked to a network born in Mali.
How to stand with the persecuted church
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15, ESV). The verse does not numb the pain: it affirms that none of those lives was outside God's sight.
The names in this article serve a concrete purpose. Write them down and pray this week for each family, one by one. If you want to go further, Morning Star News publishes on its site a list of agencies that accompany persecuted believers.
Christian hope does not depend on the violence stopping soon, but on Christ, who conquered death. The suffering church is not alone. What will you do with these names?
