Easter Sunday Massacre: Fulani Terrorists Slaughter 12 Christians at Nigerian Church Services

Fulani Terrorists Massacre 12 Christians During Easter Sunday Church Services in Kaduna Nigeria

Fulani terrorists killed 12 Christians in coordinated assaults on two Easter Sunday worship services in Ariko town, Kachia County, Kaduna state, Nigeria on April 5, 2026.

The attackers targeted an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) site and St. Augustine Catholic Church as Christian families gathered for Easter celebrations.

Dozens of worshippers were abducted during the coordinated assault, and both church buildings sustained significant damage.

"They surrounded the community and attacked the churches as Christians were in worship services." Council Member Mark Bawa

Resident Gideon Michael reported that the coordinated attack targeted congregants at both worship sites simultaneously. Army personnel later recovered additional bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12.

Nigerian troops mobilized in response to a distress call and rescued 31 hostages who had been abandoned by the fleeing attackers.

The Kaduna massacre followed another attack just hours earlier in Benue state, where suspected Fulani herdsmen killed 17 Christians at approximately 5 a.m. in Jande village, Mbalom, Gwer East County.

"Many other Christians are still missing and believed to have been taken away from their community. The attack has left the community devastated, with survivors displaced and properties worth millions of naira destroyed." Benue resident Fidelis Atom

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the assault as unacceptable and vowed the perpetrators would be held accountable.

Easter Sunday Church Massacre in Nigeria Exposes Ongoing Christian Persecution

Nigeria recorded 3,490 Christian deaths between October 2024 and September 2025, according to Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List. That figure represents 72 percent of the 4,849 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during that period.

Nigeria ranks seventh among the most dangerous countries for Christians globally. The combined Easter weekend death toll across Kaduna and Benue states reached at least 29 believers slaughtered while celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

The Crusader's Opinion

Twelve Christians butchered while worshiping the risen Christ on Easter Sunday. Seventeen more slaughtered in Benue hours earlier. And the world yawns. If Fulani gunmen had stormed a mosque during Ramadan prayers, there would be wall to wall coverage and international outrage. But when African Christians are executed at the altar, the global elite cannot be bothered. Nigeria is the deadliest country on earth to be a Christian, and our leaders call it farmer herder clashes. It is genocide. Our brothers and sisters are dying for the same Gospel we profess from safety. The least we can do is refuse to look away.

Take Action

• Donate to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria through www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Support Christian families in Nigeria through Open Doors USA
• Contribute to frontline persecution relief through Voice of the Martyrs
• Contact your U.S. Senators at 202 224 3121 and demand Nigeria be redesignated a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act
• Pray daily for the 31 rescued hostages and the families of the 29 Easter martyrs in Kaduna and Benue
• Share this story on social media to break the silence of Western media about Nigerian Christian genocide