Hundreds of Christians slain in Nigeria; thousands flee

May 03, 2011

An estimated 14,000 people, most of them Christians, have fled their homes in the north-central Nigerian state of Kaduna following the latest in a series of attacks by supporters of presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, who lost the April 16 federal election to Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari supporters, “most Muslims, who make up a small fraction of the population of Kafanchan, launched guerrilla-type attacks against innocent citizens who live in their immediate vicinity,” according to a report from the Diocese of Kafanchan’s justice and peace commission. At least 300 have been slain, and 300 homes have been destroyed.

 

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Further information:

• Clashes in northern Nigeria: a report of “Justice and Peace” complains that "someone has armed extremists" (Fides)
• After the death of Bin Laden the Bishops remember the "love for enemies" and "the example of John Paul II" (Fides)