16 killed in Plateau, 2 killed in Kogi
By Ekani Olikita
Grief and fear have gripped communities in Guma county of Benue State following new attacks that left at least four Christians dead
Several women were also abducted and tortured, with one person missing during one of the attacks.
The deadly violence occurred days after an Iowa-based Missionary, and Founder of Equipping the Persecuted, Judd Saul, issued a public terror alert warning of imminent assaults on Christian communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt ahead of Christmas.
4 Christians Killed in Benue Attacks
The latest Benue attacks reportedly took place along the Yogbo–Udei axis and other flashpoints in Guma, a Benue County bordering Keana and Obi counties of Nasarawa State.
Residents say armed Fulani ethnic militia targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had sought refuge in the area after earlier waves of violence.
According to Tivta Samuel, Guma County Youth Leader in an interview with TruthNigeria said, “On Monday, December 15, 2025, about 20 armed attackers ambushed IDPs who had gone to fetch firewood at Tse-Nyamkume village along the Yogbo–Udei Road. One victim, Kenneth Gbayier, an indigene of Mbalagh who had previously fled his home for safety, was killed. His body was later recovered and buried by relatives”.
Tivta added that, the attackers who were speaking Fulfulde and chanting Allahu Akbar, singled out women for abuse during the raid.
“Some women were captured and tortured before being released, while others remain missing. Fear has forced many families to flee deeper into the bush”, Tivta said.
Tivta also recalled an earlier incident on Saturday, December 13, when another group of Fulani terrorists attacked travellers along Ajimaka Road in Guma, killing two Tiv commuters and a security operative escorting them.
Saul’s Early Warning Ignored
The attacks came shortly after a terror alert issued by Judd Saul, a U.S.-based Filmmaker and Founder of Equipping the Persecuted, an Iowa-based nonprofit supporting persecuted Christians. Saul, who also the Founder of TruthNigeria, raised the alarm during a Press Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on December 10, 2025.
Speaking under the theme “Why Nigeria Matters in U.S. Global Strategy for Peace,” Saul warned of planned assaults by Fulani ethnic militia along border communities linking Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kaduna states. He specifically named Riyom and Bokkos in Plateau State, Kafanchan in Kaduna State, and Agatu in Benue State as potential targets on or before Christmas.
“We have information that armed groups are gathering along these borders and preparing coordinated attacks,” Saul told the gathering. Despite the warning, Nigerian authorities reportedly dismissed the alert, and no visible preventive measures were taken.
Rising Death Toll Across the Middle Belt
Subsequent days saw a spike in violence across several Middle Belt states.
In Plateau State, at least 16 Christians, including four children, were killed in separate attacks.
In the early hours of Saturday, December 13, armed Fulani Ethnic Militia raided Dorong village in Barkin Ladi county (Local Government Area), killing four children.
Days later, on Tuesday, December 16, armed Fulani attackers ambushed Christian miners engaged in legal mining activities in the Fan community of the same county (local government area), killing at least 12 people and abducting others.
2 Christians Killed, 20 Worshippers Abducted in Kogi Church’s Attack
In neighboring Kogi State, armed Fulani Militia attacked a church service on Sunday, December 14, at First ECWA Church in Aiyetoro, Kabba/Bunu county (Local Government Area). One worshipper was killed and more than 20 abducted.
The assailants reportedly carried out coordinated attacks the same day on nearby One-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro county (Local Government Area), killing three more residents and abducting several others.
Judd Saul Vindicated
Across Benue, Plateau and Kogi states, more than 22 Christians were reported killed in the days following the terror alert, deepening concerns that the warnings were credible and preventable.
Civil society groups and local leaders have criticized what they describe as a pattern of downplaying the identity of attackers in mainstream Nigerian media.
“The ongoing Christian genocides in Nigeria are often attributed to “suspected herdsmen” or “gunmen.” by mainstream media in Nigeria instead of calling their real identities as TruthNigeria does”, Oche Obe of Fresh World International told TruthNigeria. He argues that this framing obscures the scale and pattern of the violence and undermines accountability.
Residents of affected communities are calling for urgent Federal intervention, increased security deployment to vulnerable border areas, and independent investigations into the attacks. Many fear that without decisive action, more communities could be targeted as the festive season approaches.
For families in Guma and across the Middle Belt, the renewed violence has reopened wounds from years of displacement and loss. As one displaced resident, Abu James, told TruthNigeria, “We were warned. The world was warned. Yet nothing was done.”
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
