Nine Catholic Worshippers Abducted During Night Vigil
By Ekani Olikita
Armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) killed at least 33 Christian residents within 72 hours across several communities in Nigeria’s Benue State in recent attacks.
The renewed wave of coordinated violence also included the abduction of nine Catholic worshippers during a night vigil, further heightening fears across affected communities.
The affected communities include Abande, Anwase and Tomataan in Kwande County (Local Government Area) and Akpete community in Apa County (Local Government Area).
While deadly attacks were ongoing in Kwande and Apa LGAs, another group of Fulani terrorists stormed St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in the Utonkon precinct of Ado County, abducting nine worshippers during an all-night vigil at about 2 a.m. on Sunday.
31 Christians Killed in Kwande Within 72 Hours
Credit: Kwande Photos Archive.
The heaviest casualties were recorded in Kwande County, where armed Fulani militia reportedly carried out coordinated attacks on three villages in Mbaikyor Precinct, Turan District, between Tuesday and Sunday.
On Sunday, February 8, 2026, suspected Fulani terrorists attacked Tomataan community, killing a retired Nigerian Army officer identified as Chia Yongo and setting several houses ablaze.
Earlier, on Friday, February 6, 2026, heavily armed assailants surrounded Anwase village market at about 3 p.m., killing 13 Christian traders and burning over 20 houses.
The violence followed an earlier attack on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when gunmen opened fire on Christian traders at Abande market, killing 16 civilians and a Mobile Police officer, Isaac Madu.
Communities Cry Out for Help
Residents of the affected communities have raised alarm over what they described as persistent and unchecked attacks, calling on the Federal Government and the international community for urgent intervention.
Chief James Agba, a kindred head in Abande, said the attackers were well-organized and operated with impunity.
“The attackers were about 50 Fulani militia from the mountainous areas along the Cameroon–Nigeria border. They were speaking Fulfulde and chanting while killing my people. Seventeen of our people, including a policeman, were killed. My calls for security support were met only with promises. Government acted only after many lives were lost. Fulani want to take over our land and enslave us,” he told TruthNigeria.
Chief Agba added that Abande community has since been deserted, with many residents fleeing to nearby towns for safety.
Similarly, Fabian Yaga, Youth Leader of Mbaikyor, questioned how another attack was allowed to happen despite early warnings.
“It is surprising that over 30 Fulani terrorists could still attack Anwase after the Abande massacre, despite alerts to security agencies. They came from mountainous areas near the Cameroon border, speaking Fulani and shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’. This is land grabbing and Islamization. We need international help because our government has failed us,” he told TruthNigeria.
A former Aide to a past Benue State governor and Tomataan resident, Julius Ahobee in a phone interview with TruthNigeria Correspondent, warned that the killings would persist unless decisive action is taken.
“The attacks will not end until the government dislodges these Fulani terrorists from the Cameroon–Nigeria border. They have displaced our people and taken over four out of five council wards in Turan District,” he said.
Lawmaker Suggests Way Forward
In response to the killings, the Lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, proposed a seven-point solution in a Facebook post titled “How to Stop the Killings in Kwande for the Prosperity of Benue State.”
Ugbor called on the Benue State Government to provide logistics and accommodation for security agencies, strengthen border patrols, demarcate Benue–Taraba boundaries, recruit forest guards, resettle displaced persons, and designate the Kwande hills and forests as protected game reserves.
Two Christians Killed in Apa
In Apa County, Fulani militia also attacked Akpete community on Friday, February 6, killing two residents identified as Matthew Ochanga and Isaac Adanu.
A resident, Johnson Adah told TruthNigeria that, the attackers were armed and believed to have come from neighboring Nasarawa State
“We recovered Matthew’s body on Friday and Isaac’s on Saturday. The attackers came from Nasarawa State and are still hiding in the bush, planning more attacks. We need urgent help,” he told TruthNigeria.
Nine Worshippers Abducted from Catholic Church
In a separate but related incident, armed Fulani jihadists abducted nine worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, during a night vigil on Sunday.
A survivor, Linda Orinya, said about 25 armed men surrounded the church during the vigil attended by over 200 congregants.
“They were speaking Fulfulde and chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they surrounded us. They took nine of our members, mostly young men and women. It was only by God’s grace that I escaped,” she told TruthNigeria.
The attacks have heightened fears among Christian communities in Benue State, as residents accuse authorities of failing to halt what they describe as systematic violence and displacement.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
