Call for prayer after 18 Christians killed in attack in Nigeria

Fulani militants killed 18 Christians in a Nigerian village earlier this week, International Christian Concern reports (ICC).

The attack on Tuesday evening was the second against Nigeria's Christian community in the space of a week. 

An eyewitness told ICC that this is now the seventh attack on the village of Ancha by Islamist militants. 

Victims of the latest attack included the secretary of the local Baptist church.

The militants also burned down over a hundred homes, food stores and crops. 

Survivor John Rivu Bulus said that he is the sole surviving family member from a spate of Fulani attacks, but that he continues to fear for his life. 

"My life is now at risk," he said.

"The Fulani are now after my life; all my family members have now been killed by the Fulani militants ... I am left alone." 

An Irigwe youth leader told ICC that the government was failing to protect Christians. 

"There is a plan for jihad in Nigeria, but the Nigerian government continues to remain silent," the youth leader said. 

"We are pleading with Christians in the diaspora to come to our assistance."

An ICC partner has visited the village following the attack and described the situation as "very bad". 

ICC president Jeff King said it would continue to monitor the situation. 

"Right now, our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria are in need of our prayers," he said. 

News
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon

Dame Sarah Mullally has used her first Easter Day sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury to renew calls for peace in the Middle East. 

Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection
Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection

The hope of the resurrection is especially precious in a world filled with grief, violence, uncertainty, and pain.

Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria
Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria

The Syriacs are mostly Christian.

New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities
New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities

Jim Shannon MP said the report records both “the progress observed” and “the ongoing challenges” that remain for religious minorities seeking to live in safety and freedom in Iraq.