In recent days, dozens of Nigerian Christians have been murdered by Islamist jihadis. Unfortunately, the violence has remained largely unreported.
In fact, I wouldn鈥檛 have paid close attention myself, if it hadn鈥檛 been for Israeli journalist and friend, Atara Beck. Last September, she contacted me about some confusing and disturbing private messages she鈥檇 received about extensive Christian bloodshed in Nigeria.
A year later, and there鈥檚 no question about the veracity of the messages.
By now we know that during 2018, more than 6,000 Christians have been killed or maimed by Islamist terrorists affiliated either with the notorious Boko Haram group 鈥� best known for kidnapping young girls 鈥� or with the Fulani tribesmen, whose anti-Christian brutality goes largely unanswered by Nigeria鈥檚 government.
Attacks against Nigeria鈥檚 Christian communities are escalating at an alarming rate.
On October 2, Morning Star News reported, 鈥淎rmed Fulani herdsmen accompanied by militants in Nigerian army uniforms killed 17 Christians in their homes in the heart of Jos, north-central Nigeria, on Thursday (September 27), including four children, area sources said.鈥�
Just days before, in mid-September, nearly 30 Christians drowned, trying to flee attacks by Fulani jihadis. World Watch Monitor reported:
鈥淎 pastor was one of at least 27 people who lost their lives following fresh attacks carried out by Fulani militants on five predominantly Christian communities in northeast Nigeria in recent days. Many of them drowned as they attempted to escape via the local river... [affecting] the villages of Gon, Bolki, Ndumusu, Yotti and Yanga, in Numan local government area (LGA), Adamawa state.鈥�
Several Christians in Nigeria wrote to Beck, a journalist in Israel, about Islamist violence in their country. And why? Clearly, they thought Israelis 鈥� of all people 鈥� could understand their plight and might speak up on their behalf.
Indeed, colorfully-dressed throngs of Nigerian Christian pilgrims are a familiar sight in Jerusalem, singing and praying as they visit holy places. They are great supporters of Israel. They鈥檙e also aware that they share a common enemy with Israel鈥檚 Jews 鈥� radical Islamists threaten both nations鈥� safety and, whenever possible, attack local communities.
The widely publicized kidnapping of Nigerian girls in 2014, and the #bringbackourgirls hashtag, introduced many Westerners to the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Boko Haram kidnapped more girls in February this year, and now threatens to kill Leah Sharibu, a young Christian who has refused to convert to Islam. Leah鈥檚 desperate mother is pleading for her daughter鈥檚 release.
In 2015, the group pledged its allegiance to ISIS.
Of course, Boko Haram aren鈥檛 the only murderers. I recently wrote to a long-time Nigerian friend (who must remain anonymous) asking for his insights about the lesser-known militant Fulani Herdsmen.
He replied:
鈥淚t is regrettable that the killings by the herdsmen have continued unabated. Worse still, the security agencies do not seem to be able to curb the killings. This has led to accusations that the government is either complicit or laissez-faire in its handling of the killings. It is definitely not showing enough concern about the issue, and can therefore be justifiably accused of failing in its primary duty of protecting the lives and property of its citizens.鈥�
In April 2018, US President Donald Trump spoke directly to Nigeria鈥檚 President Muhammadu Buhari (who happens to be a member of the Fulani tribe) during a joint press conference at the White House:
鈥淲e are deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria, including the burning of churches and the killing and persecution of Christians. It鈥檚 a horrible story... We encourage Nigeria and the federal state and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure the affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths including Muslims and including Christians.鈥�
As recent reports confirm, despite Trump鈥檚 direct appeal, nothing has been done to stop Nigeria鈥檚 jihadi attacks on Christians. In fact, there is widespread belief that some within Nigeria鈥檚 government collaborate with the Fulani group鈥檚 unabated incursions.
Meanwhile, untold thousands of terrified Nigerian refugees continue to flee vicious religious cleansing. Sickness, starvation and the sword pursue them. And the death toll rolls on.
Is the world turning a blind eye to another imminent genocide?