Fulani gunmen kill at least 12 Christians in Plateau State over three days

Fulani gunmen killed at least twelve Christians in Barkin Ladi County, Plateau State, Nigeria, over a three‑day span at the end of September 2026.

The violence began on September 24 when two Christians—Phillip Luka, 25, and Sunday John, 34—were shot dead at a mining site in Kworos Gangare village. On the same day, two more were slain in Nghar (Ex‑land) village and three in Gassa village, identified as Ishaya Pam Dung, 47; Barnabas Gyang Jack, 23; and Manasseh Luka Mushwer, 26.

Additional victims were reported in Rubung village, though their names were not disclosed. The following day, September 26, gunmen attacked Marit village, killing five Christians and wounding two while they worked at a local mining operation.

Authorities also confirmed the death of a Baptist pastor, Rev. Andy Samuel, 53, who was killed on September 20 in the Kantoma community of Barkin Ladi. His wife identified him at a funeral the following week.

Plateau State Commissioner for Information Joyce Ramnap condemned the attacks, stating that some communities have been targeted for a long time and urging residents to remain calm as security efforts are intensified.

The killings are part of a broader pattern of sectarian attacks by Fulani militants against Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region already strained by clashes with Boko Haram, ISWAP and emerging jihadist groups. Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List reported that Nigeria accounted for 72 percent of the 4,849 Christians killed worldwide between October 2024 and September 2025.

Humanitarian groups continue to call for increased protection of vulnerable populations and for interventions that address both the security vacuum and the underlying resource pressures driving the conflict.