State Officials Warn Clergy and Leaders to Withhold Facts from Media
Community Volunteers Bravely Fought Back
By Mike Odeh James
(Kajuru, KADUNA STATE) – Fulani ethnic terrorists have killed five Christian worshippers and abducted four farmers in two separate attacks on Kampani Maro village in Kajuru County, Southern Kaduna, within 24 hours.
The twin assaults—one on farmlands and the other inside a church—underscore the deepening and persistent wave of Fulani terrorist violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where rural Christian communities have become routine targets of mass killings, kidnappings, and intimidation.
Church Service Turns into Bloodbath
At about 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, Fulani terrorists riding motorcycles stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kampani Maro during a worship service.
“They came from the bush on about 10 motorcycles. Though we couldn’t count precisely, we estimate there were at least 20 armed men,” said Bako.
Another witness, Moses Lala, a 57-year-old farmer, said they were in the church to pray for the safe return of four farmers kidnapped the previous day when they heard motorcycles approaching.
Lala explained that the congregation was deep in prayer when the attackers, shouting “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is great”), opened fire indiscriminately inside the church, causing panic and chaos.
Five worshippers were shot dead and three others injured. The deceased were identified as:
1. Victor Haruna – Ungwan Galadima
2. Dogara Jatau – Ungwan Galadima
3. Luka Yari – Ungwan Maiturare
4. Bawu John – Ungwan Maiturare
5. Jesse Danlami – Ungwan Galadima
“We believe their goal was to cause mass casualties or to kidnap people from the church,” Lala said.
He further revealed that the attackers had been rampaging with impunity in the community before the church massacre. During earlier raids, they kidnapped several villagers and looted motorcycles and food items.
Villagers, Vigilantes, and Soldiers Respond
According to village elder Tanimu Abbah, the Fulani terrorists initially kidnapped about 20 villagers during their raid before some were rescued in a dramatic counter-response.
“Our local vigilantes—armed only with makeshift pipe guns—chased the attackers into the bush and engaged them in a gun battle lasting nearly two hours,” Abbah told TruthNigeria.
Despite being outgunned, the vigilantes managed to hold the terrorists back.
“The Fulani were heavily armed. Our young men showed bravery, but their weapons were no match. Still, they pinned the terrorists down by firing from the bushes.”
The tide turned when soldiers from the Nigerian Army joined the operation.
“The terrorists were overwhelmed and fled, leaving behind stolen items, including motorcycles,” Abbah said.
Four Farmers Abducted on Their Farms
The church attack followed a brutal kidnapping of farmers the previous day. At about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Fulani terrorists ambushed four Christian farmers in Kampani Maro village.
The victims—Andrew Hussaini, Rowland Namiji, Zabena Manager, and Rabi Joseph—were tending their crops when the assailants struck.
“They came out of the bush and seized them at gunpoint,” said David Usman, secretary of the Kampani Maro community, in a phone interview with TruthNigeria. “Rabi was severely beaten before they dragged her into the forest.”
As of the time of this report, all four victims remain in captivity. The terrorists have made no contact with the families or the community. Residents fear the victims may be moved deeper into the dense forests between Kajuru and Kachia counties.
“Our people are afraid to return to their farms,” added Usman. “We’re calling on the security agencies to act quickly before more lives are lost.”
Officials Silent, Media Suppressed
When TruthNigeria reached out to the local church clergy and village heads, they declined to comment, though they confirmed the attacks had occurred.
“We are under threat not to speak to journalists about these attacks again,” said Abbah. “The state government is not happy that reports from Kajuru keep surfacing about killings, kidnappings, and looting.”
He added that county officials were allegedly warned not to report on attacks, reinforcing growing fears that authorities are suppressing information.
Multiple attempts to contact the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful. Calls went unanswered, and the telephone number of the spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven was switched off.
A Pattern of Targeted Violence
Kajuru County has been under siege for years. The predominantly Christian communities in this region have experienced repeated waves of Fulani terrorist attacks, with little to no intervention from state or federal security forces.
Since last year, TruthNigeria has reported several deadly attacks across Kajuru County—including in Maro, Avong, Doka, and Rubu—that have resulted in dozens of deaths and displacement.
“This isn’t the first time, and sadly it may not be the last unless something changes,” said David Umaru, a 56-year-old farmer. “We’ve been crying out for years.”
Cries for Protection and Justice
Community members say the violence has persisted because of a glaring lack of arrests and accountability.
“The violence has continued because the perpetrators are rarely arrested or prosecuted,” Umaru told TruthNigeria. “Until there’s justice and accountability, we will keep burying our loved ones.”
“I am thinking of leaving Kajuru and moving to maybe Southeast Nigeria,” Umaru added. “I have buried so many people, including relatives.”
