A pastor and 10-year-old boy were among the victims of a deadly attack on Christians in northern Nigeria last week.
Matthew Tagwai, pastor of an Evangelical Church Winning All congregation in Bassa County, Plateau State, was shot and killed in his home at around 8pm on April 7, Morning Star News reports.
He was 34 and is survived by his pregnant wife and two young children.
Also killed in attacks on their homes that were three members of his congregation, including 10-year-old Ishaku Abba.
The other two victims were named as Dih Sunday, 21, and Duh Abba, 38. Another two were injured in the attack.
Local residents believe that the attackers were armed Fulani herdsmen.
Survivor Moses Gata told Morning Star News: "There's no doubt about it – our attackers are Muslim Fulani herdsmen.
"They were communicating with themselves in Fulfulde, the herdsmen's language."
Local resident Andy Yakuba called the attackers "heartless". He criticised the government for failing to put a stop to attacks on Christians by Fulani herdsmen.
"In the past one week, Fulani herdsmen have been attacking different villages," he said.
"What is the crime of these innocent people against Fulani herdsmen? For how long shall we continue to experience this killing? For how long shall we continue to beg the government and the security agencies to come to the aid of our people?"
ECWA general secretary, the Rev Yunusa Nmadu Jr, was also critical of the authorities.
"This new attack, like the ones before it, is condemnable," Pastor Nmadu told Morning Star News.
"The continuing attacks on harmless and unsuspecting Christian communities without concrete, strategic response from our duty-bearers to protect our people leaves much to be desired."
He added: "Let the authorities know that people do not run forever. There comes a time when they are pressed to the wall, and in such times reactions and counter-reactions will inevitably occur."
