On August 8, 2024, a violent assault in Ayati village, located in Nigeria’s Benue State, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Christians. The attackers, reportedly Fulani herdsmen and a criminal gang, invaded the predominantly Christian village in the late afternoon.
The violence began around 5:00 p.m. when heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, opening fire on residents. Survivors described the attackers as speaking the Fulani language and targeting anyone in their path. It was said that the attackers acted in retaliation for a previous encounter with state security forces.
In addition to homes, the attackers also stormed St. Peter Catholic Church in Ayati, where a Mass was underway, killing 20 worshippers. The bodies of the slain villagers were later discovered in wells, meant to poison the community’s water supply.
Despite a response from security forces, the attackers fled before they could be apprehended.
This incident follows a series of violent episodes in the region and shows the vulnerability of Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
In a statement, the Diocese of Wukari condemned the attack and asked the government to “identify and hold accountable the personnel responsible for this act of brutality.” Continuing, the Diocese said they are “committed to supporting and collaborating with the government to ensure peace and stability in our communities.”
Pray for the victims of this attack!
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Photo credit: Profoss, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons