The fact that 1,041 Nigerians have been killed by armed assailants in the first 100 days of 2023 has disturbed the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety).
The rights organization made this disclosure in a special investigative report that was published on Monday and a copy of which was provided to SaharaReporters on Tuesday.
As stated in the report signed by Intersociety Board Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi and other principal officers Chidinma Udegbunam, Ndidiamaka Bernard, and Ositadinma Agu, 1,041 people were killed or vanished during genocidal attacks by Jihadist Fulani herdsmen and other Jihadists between January and April 9, 2023.
The research stated that 5,068 persons who were Christians were slain or made to vanish in 2022 without a trace by Nigerian Jihadists.
“Favor Patrick, Peace Patrick, and Chinwe Patrick, three Igbo female Christian sisters, represent 17 defenseless Christians who were hacked to death in Ungwan Wakili, Zagon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 10, 2023. The 36 names listed below were among over 50 defenseless Christians slaughtered by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen on March 13 in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
“The six wounded others included in the list are mentioned to remember thousands of others heartlessly wounded or maimed in attacks carried out in Jan to Dec 2022 and 1st Jan to 10th April 2023. It is therefore in their names, spirits and bloods that this special investigative Report on “Martyred Christians in Nigeria” is dedicated.
“Their names are: “Abande Njoor, Iornum Sonter, Abraham Terna, Aker Shagba Achuna, Kendon Tyover, Ornguga Tyodoo, Ajoh Iorhemba, Orshio Msughter, Abe Nyam, Aker Ushahembas, Ayagwa Lunen, Apav Terhile, Jirbee Amaku, Aza Bem, Ahil Wende, Iormumbes Ashi Shimave, Terhemba Madom, Andyar Aemberga, Kundu Igba, Tarkper Adomko, Jirbee Amaku, Terlumun Swen, Terna Udam, Atighir Aondokula, Terfa Mbagbar, Terver Mbagbar, Terzungwe Chagh, Tyoazua Aondona, Kogh Aondowase, Akura Utoo, Iortsor Shaapera, Awuhe Terhemen, Lase Mbanengen, Kuku Terngu, Kuku Mzehemen and Hangeuir Iorwuese Kuta”- 36 of over 50 Christian victims of Kwande-Benue Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen massacre of 13th March 2023. “Daniel Soji, Emmanuei Ibrahim, Jummai Gajere, Aaron Thomas, Rahila Sunday Ishaya, Blessing Zakaria, Felicia Zakaria, Gloria Zakaria, Gaji Tonak, Elizabeth Tokan, Peace Tokan, Favor Patrick, Peace Patrick and Chinwe Patrick (three Igbo female Christians); Ruth John and Emmanuel John”.
“16 of 17 slaughtered victims of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen attack in Ungwan Wakili in Zagon Kataf Local Council Area of Kaduna on 10th March 2023. “Precious Timothy, Sunday Ishaya, Jessica Zakaria, Chison Ikechukwu (Igbo), Patience Matthew and Jessica Tokan”.-Six Christians surviving Christians wounded in the attack.”
Intersociety which has been advocating for end of religious radicalism through propagation of radical Islamism and fanatical Christianity in Nigeria since 2010, said that it had issued not less than twenty special reports or publications associated with them.
“Intersociety has also earned a name and international respectability as Nigeria’s leading anti-Christian persecution and radical Islamism watchdog and was admitted as a member of the United States-based International Alliance against Genocide since 2020.
“We have been closely monitoring patterns and trends of anti Christian persecution since 2010 and killing of minority Muslims and moderate others by non state actor armed Islamists and Muslim dominated Nigerian security forces from 2015 to 2023.”
It added, “The patterns and trends of the state actor religious butcheries under our close watch include introduction of state radical Islamism policy by the outgoing Government of Nigeria in 2016, introduction of Nigerian security forces dimension to anti Christian butcheries across the country such as pro Islamic internal security operations in Eastern Nigeria since 2016 involving ethnic and religious profiling associated with atrocious military operations in the East and the military protected invasion of Eastern Christian forests, bushes and farmlands by Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen since 2016.
“We have monitored and tracked massacre of Christians and burning down or destruction of their sacred places of worship, religious symbols, Christian schools and living houses and farmlands across the country. These are done or carried out using research, investigation, documentation and publications. We also generate statistics from local and international media, religious, community, security, research, intergovernmental, nongovernmental, international parliamentary organizations or diplomatic institutions.”
