Militants Return, Attack Another Christian Community in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria Amidst Political Tensions

On March 17, 2023, International Christian Concern reported that militants who previously killed 17 Christians in Agwan Wakili, Nigeria, had returned and attacked another Christian community in Mubushi and Langsong on March 14, 2023, about 6km away from the previous attack site. Ten Christians were found dead, and fourteen others survived gunshot wounds. Security forces were deployed to the locations of the latest attacks. An ICC contact who visited the aftermath of the attack had his phone confiscated by military officials.

According to local sources, the attacks are politically motivated, targeting Christians who may not vote for the ruling APC party in the gubernatorial election on March 18, 2023. Witnesses claim that the militants are trying to displace Christians who may not vote for the APC party, and some of the militants may even be members of the Nigeria army. The government has not taken action against the ongoing attacks, frustrating community leaders and residents.

The attackers came quietly at night, attacking defenseless people who were sleeping outside due to the hot weather. They used machetes and axes to kill their victims, and some witnesses claim that a helicopter was seen flying over the community before the attack, possibly surveying the area or dropping off the attackers. These series of attacks in Zangon Kataf local government are aimed at depopulating Christians and preventing them from voting in the upcoming election, as the area is home to both the Labour Party and PDP’s Christian candidates for governor and deputy governor.