HART, a UK-based organisation, released a report estimating that over 1,000 Nigerian Christians were killed in 2019 in attacks led by Fulani extremists.
The report said Islamist Fulani militia continue to engage in an aggressive and strategic land-grabbing policy in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Southern Kaduna and parts of Bauchi state. HART said: ‘They attack rural villages, force villagers off their lands and settle in their place – a strategy that is epitomised by the phrase “Your land or your blood”.’
The actual death toll is currently unknown. Christians have become a target for Fulani herdsman, and HART estimate that over 6,000 Christians have been killed since 2015 and 12,000 have been displaced. These numbers were based on Kaduna state government reports, media reports, and news from community leaders in Plateau state. Though Fulani herdsmen seem to be the major perpetrators, the terrorist group Boko Haram has also killed several Christians in Borno state.
