Witnesses tell Release International that security forces are supporting militants. Release launches campaign to urge Nigeria to protect Christians in the run-up to elections.

Release International

Attacks against Christians in Nigeria are spreading further south, as villagers come under armed assault from Fulani militants. Christians, who have been attacked in northern and central Nigeria, are now also facing onslaughts in Benue State, representing an escalation of the conflict.

Suspected Fulani militants killed more than 110 people in raids on three mainly Christian villages in Kaduna, central Nigeria, on Friday night. And Islamist terror group Boko Haram killed two Christians in a village in Borno state, in the north, on Sunday.

A fact-finding team from Release International has just returned from visiting attack victims in Nigeria. Villagers in Plateau state told them that security forces, who had been drafted in to protect them, collaborated instead with the attackers.

'We saw burnt out houses and people who had been displaced and bereaved,' said Kenneth Harrod, from Release. 'All said they had been attacked by Fulani herdsmen, whom they described as well armed and well organised. Some said security forces had joined in the attack.'

Hassan, a former policeman who survived a recent assault in the Rim District of Plateau State, told Release that state security forces were among the attackers.

'Security people came with the Fulani and helped them shoot at the villagers. Everybody was in confusion and ran away. One person was burnt alive. All the foodstuffs were burnt.'

In nearby Gwon village, Samuel lost eight members of his family who were burnt to death in their home. The security forces, posted to protect the village, fled when the attack began, but not before giving instructions that Samuel believes led to the deaths of his family.

'They asked the family to stay inside the room', he said. His father, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law and four nephews were all burned alive.

Jos, in Plateau state, is on the border between the largely Muslim north and the mainly Christian south. As such, it has been the frontline for attacks by militants against Christians. But now those attacks have spread further south, to Benue, a fertile state which is known as the food basket of Nigeria.

Kumaga lost her husband when the Fulani attacked Jimba village in the night. 'The Fulani came with torches. They shot my husband and macheted him, then dragged his body into the house and set fire to it. All the foodstuffs were burnt. Now I am living by the mercy of those around.'

Terror group Boko Haram have publicly declared war on both the government and Christians. Since launching their armed insurgency in 2009, they have slaughtered thousands of civilians.

Observers believe militants are attempting to destabilise Nigeria ahead of the presidential elections in 2015. Release International has launched a campaign to urge the Nigerian Government to protect Christians before and during those coming elections. Release will present a petition to the Nigerian High Commission in the autumn.

Release chief executive Paul Robinson said: 'Christians - men, women and children - have suffered shocking violence at the hands of extremists in Nigeria and it doesn't look like ending any time soon. With the elections around the corner the fear is that attacks against government institutions and Christians will increase as militants attempt to influence the outcome.

'Too many Christians have been murdered, injured, bereaved and traumatised. They need our help. Release is concerned that Christians living in marginal electoral seats could be targeted and driven out by Islamist extremists. Please join us in this vital campaign to end the suffering in Nigeria and sign our on-line petition.'