Shared by an Orthodox priest ... RELIGION OF PEACE UPDATE: The more the West ignores jihad, the higher the body count. Nigerian Muslims slaughtered 37 Christians in coordinated attacks on four Plateau state villages early this morning after Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 34 Christians in Borno state earlier this month. In attacks on the four predominantly Christian villages that started at 1 a.m. in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State in central Nigeria, Islamic Fulani herdsmen killed 37 people, injured many others and destroyed homes, the military’s Special Task Force spokesman, Salisu Mustapha, said in a press statement. “The attackers killed 13 persons in Katu Kapang, eight in Daron, nine in Tul and seven others in Rawuru,” he said. Mustapha told Morning Star News by phone that the heavily-armed assailants were believed to be Muslim Fulani herdsmen. Most mainstream media mentioned vague accusations of cattle theft or unsupported statements of political and land disputes as possible motivations for the attacks, although in recent months Muslims have increased the unprovoked slaughter of unarmed Christians in their homes that has taken place for several years in Plateau state. Christian leaders otherwise at a loss to explain the increase in attacks believe Islamic groups are inciting Fulani Muslims to attack them in Plateau state as well as in Kaduna, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Benue states. They fear that the herdsmen, with backing from Islamic groups, want to take over the predominantly Christian areas in order to acquire land for grazing, stockpile arms and expand Islamic territory. Hit-and-run, guerrilla-style attacks on Christian villages in which children are shot to death as they sleep support their suspicion that the assaults are motivated by desire to eliminate Christianity. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population of 158.2 million, while Muslims account for 45 percent. Felicia Anselem, spokesperson for the Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police, confirmed that the attacks on the villages were coordinated strikes. “The attacks were carried out at about 1 a.m. this morning in the villages of Rawuru, Tasu, Foron and Gurabok,” she said. “The attackers attacked the villages at the same time, having gone there in groups.” The slaughters come after members of the Islamic Boko Haram group in Borno state killed at least 26 Christians Nov. 11-13 and eight others on Nov. 3 in Nigeria’s northeast. The Islamic groups name, Boko Haram, means, “Western education is a sin.” They are devoted to practice jihad until Sharia Law is imposed throughout Nigeria. The Rev. Titus Pona, chairman of the Borno chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, told Morning Star News that Boko Haram slaughtered the Christians and drove many others from their villages. “For three days, between Monday, Nov. 11, and Wednesday, Nov. 13, they attacked the Christian villages,” he said. “They came in two Hilux vehicles, three buses and about 30 motorcycles armed with AK-47 rifles, going from house to house, killing, looting, and burning houses.” Paul Gadzama, a director with Green Planet, a Non-Governmental Organization, said that more than 26 Christians had been killed and hundreds forced to flee. “They destroyed houses, killed Christians, and displaced hundreds of others,” he said. “They set fire to about 40 houses.” CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor and the Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, CAN secretary, said this month that Boko Haram members also attacked Ngoshe village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Nov. 3, killing eight Christians. Several church buildings were razed. “They burned 11 houses owned by the Christians and three churches... We were informed that when the Christian community sought to meet the state governor on this issue, he said he has no time to see them until February next year.” No arrests have been made, they said. The Rev. Dr. Soja Bewarang said that innocent members of the church had been killed and their property destroyed. “In Borno, Yobe and Gwoza, our members are systematically identified and killed,” he said. “My heart beats for our staff and members in Borno. Retired Rev. Daniel Gula is presently in Jos recovering from injuries sustained when he ran for his life.” frjohnpeck/
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 04:41:36 +0000