"In the last three months attacks have increased carried out by the
Fulani Herdsmen Terrorist (FHT) in more than half of the territory of
the southern State of Kaduna", denounces His Exc. Mgr. Joseph Danlami
Bagobiri, Bishop of Kafanchan, in the state of Kaduna, during a visit to
the Italian headquarters of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)."In the West, this group is almost unheard of", says Mgr. Bagobiri, but has been responsible since September of fires in 53 villages, of the death of 808 persons, the wounding of 57 others, the destruction of 1,422 houses and 16 churches.
The Bishop recalls that from 2006 to 2014, more than 12,000 Christians were killed and 2,000 churches destroyed because of terrorism in Nigeria.
These crimes were mainly committed by the Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram.
Mgr. Bagobiri notes that Boko Haram is not the only group that spreads terror in the African country, emphasizing the role of Fulani herdsmen in recent years.
The Fulani are a nomadic ethnic group who have been protagonists of recurrent conflicts with farmers in the area.
However in recent times the attacks are of a completely different kind compared to the old clashes between farmers and herders, as the latter use "sophisticated weapons that did not exist before, such as AK-47, whose origin is unknown", says Mgr. Bagobiri.