12/29/2019 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), a British nonprofit started by U.K. member of Parliament Baroness Caroline Cox has reported that over 1,000 Christians have been killed this year in by Fulani extremists in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. The report was published after the group conducted a fact finding mission to Nigeria. During the mission they met with representatives of at least five villages who had been attacked recently. They interviewed many of those who had been severely affected.

From just those five villages, they estimated that more than 100 people were killed and at least 12,000 people have been displaced. The report, titled “Your Land or Your Body: The escalating persecution and displacement of Christians in northern and central Nigeria”, was released on November 18^th and details the full picture as HART see it.

The report states that, “The underlying drivers of conflict are complex. Yet targeted violence against predominantly Christian communities suggests that religion and ideology play a key part.

• Before most of the attacks, the Fulani send a ‘warning signal’ via a note or a phone call (in line with the rules of engagement in jihad) to tell villagers that an attack is imminent.
• Christian pastors and community heads are specifically targeted.
• Hundreds of churches have been destroyed.
• During many of the attacks, the Fulani are reported by survivors to have.”

Despite these findings and many others that continue to show that this conflict has major religious motivations, the leadership in Nigeria and major news agencies continue to deny any possible religious links. It is time that the true narrative behind these attacks is believed and a true concerted effort is made to stop these atrocities.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].