28 Christians Massacred in Nigeria: Fulani Terrorists Strike After Sunday Worship
At least 28 Christians were massacred and several others kidnapped when Fulani herdsmen attacked Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
The attack occurred at approximately 6 p.m., shortly after Christians returned from Sunday evening worship services. Residents report the armed militants arrived in a convoy and opened fire on unsuspecting villagers in the predominantly Christian farming community.
George Daniel, a resident, confirmed a mass burial was held for the 28 Christians "brutally killed by armed herdsmen in Ankali, Edikwu Ankpali community." Another resident, Tony Adikwu, stated the death toll exceeded 28 and that "most of the displaced Christians at Edikwu Ankpali are currently taking refuge at Odugbo village, another Christian community."
Abu Umoru, a member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Apa County, confirmed 16 deaths in the Edikwu and Ankpali communities, noting several residents remain unaccounted for and community searches continue to determine the full extent of casualties.
The Ankpali massacre was part of a coordinated wave of attacks across Benue State that killed at least 85 Christians in one week, according to International Christian Concern.
The same day, armed muslim terrorists attacked communities in Gwer West County, killing an additional 43 people.
Days earlier, similar attacks across several Gwer West villages resulted in 42 deaths and the displacement of hundreds of residents. The violence came one day after 14 women traveling in a Benue Link transport bus from a market in Enugu state were abducted along Owukpa Road. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Sebastine Hon, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, petitioned President Bola Tinubu on June 2 demanding immediate military emergency declaration to halt the growing bloodshed in Benue State. "The security situation in my state, however, is VERY FAST slipping out of hand," Hon wrote.
He documented multiple recent attacks, including a May 24 assault on Reverend Solomon Atongo just 500 meters from a military checkpoint where no soldiers intervened. On May 29, Agan community in the state capital Makurdi was attacked in broad daylight despite a nearby military barracks.
Catholic priests accused the military of complicity on May 31, publicly stating the church has lost priests and congregation members and closed more than 15 parishes in Benue State.
Benue Concern Youths wrote to Governor Hyacinth Alia expressing frustration: "Innocent lives have been lost once more. We look to you for leadership and hope." Nigeria ranks as one of the most dangerous places on earth for Christians. According to Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List, 3,100 of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during the reporting period were in Nigeria, representing 69 percent of all Christian martyrs globally.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Twenty eight Christians murdered after Sunday worship. Let that sink in. They gathered to praise God, went home, and within hours Fulani jihadists slaughtered them. This wasn't random violence. This was targeted extermination of Christians by Islamic militants in a systematic campaign that has killed thousands while the world stays silent and the Nigerian government does nothing.
Eighty five Christians killed in one week. Fourteen women kidnapped. Hundreds displaced. Churches closed. Priests murdered. And where's the global outrage? Where are the UN resolutions? Where are the sanctions? When Muslims face violence anywhere, the international community erupts. When Christians are massacred by the thousands in Nigeria, we get statements of concern and then silence. The double standard is deafening.
The military has checkpoints 500 meters from where a pastor was attacked and they did nothing. Catholic priests publicly accuse the military of complicity. This isn't negligence. This is active participation in Christian genocide through calculated inaction. Nigeria's government enables these massacres by refusing to protect Christian farming communities from Fulani militants determined to seize their ancestral lands and establish Islamic dominance.
Sixty nine percent of all Christians martyred worldwide last year died in Nigeria. Read that again. Nigeria is the epicenter of Christian persecution on planet Earth, and the comfortable Western church discusses worship styles and building campaigns while our brothers and sisters are hunted down and butchered for their faith. The blood of 28 Ankpali martyrs cries out. When will we finally answer?
TAKE ACTION
International Christian Concern: Website: https://www.persecution.org Email: icc@persecution.org Phone: +1 800 422 5441 Support emergency relief for displaced Christians in Benue State and advocacy for protection
Open Doors Nigeria Appeal: Website: https://www.opendoorsuk.org Donate directly to food, medicine, and shelter for thousands displaced by Benue attacks
Contact US Officials: Demand Nigeria remain designated Country of Particular Concern and implementation of sanctions for failure to protect Christians Website: https://www.house.gov and https://www.senate.gov
Aid to the Church in Need: Website: https://acnuk.org Phone: +44 20 8642 8668 Support emergency aid for Nigerian Christians facing genocide
Pray for Benue State: Intercede for protection of Christian farming communities, justice for perpetrators, and courage for believers facing daily terror and displacement
Share Their Stories: Post about the Ankpali massacre and ongoing Nigerian Christian persecution. Force the comfortable church to confront what's happening to our family in Christ.
