At least 10 Christians, including the Rev. Simon Nbach of Flaming Fire Ministry, were killed on Monday, Nov. 3, when armed Fulani herdsmen attacked Anwule Oglewu village in Ohimini County, Benue State, according to Christian Daily International. The incident marks another wave of deadly violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Residents said the victims were working in their fields when the gunmen stormed the area, firing indiscriminately and spreading panic. A Catholic church and dozens of homes were set ablaze during the raid, leaving widespread destruction. The assailants reportedly abducted one Christian, while several others remained missing after the coordinated strike.
Local resident Casmir Eigege said they found the pastor’s body along with two other victims, confirming fears of heavy casualties. Another villager said many families fled into nearby forests for safety as the clashes raged for hours.
Community sources identified the militants as Fulani herdsmen, long accused of targeting farming settlements in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Church leaders said the attackers aimed to seize land and impose Islam as desertification worsened in the north, pushing herders southward into Christian areas.
According to the 2025 World Watch List by Open Doors, Nigeria accounts for nearly 70% of global Christian deaths from persecution. The continuing violence has fueled fears of expanding jihadist influence across the country’s central and southern regions.