More than 50 Christians killed in Nigeria on Palm Sunday

Last Palm Sunday, some 52 people, from the Christian community of Bassa, were killed in two attacks in central Nigeria, in a context of inter-community clashes, the Red Cross reported Monday.

"So far we have found 52 bodies. We are still searching," a Red Cross representative, who requested anonymity, told AFP. According to the information provided, 30 people were also injured and some 30 houses were set on fire.

The events took place in the villages of Zike and Kimakpa, ten days after similar attacks left 40 dead in the same area, the state of Plateau.

According to Open Doors, "Since the end of March, Fulani militants attacked at least eight communities in the local government associations of Bokkos and Bassa. Alongside those killed (and the number could be higher), a further six are missing and many others injured. Over 300 homes have been destroyed, leaving more than 3.000 people displaced."

"Amongst the other attacks, three Christian farmers were cultivating their land on 24 March when they were killed. Three days later, the militants killed 11 Christians who had gathered for a funeral, including a pregnant woman and ten-year-old girl. On 2 April, at least five Christian women were killed as they gathered for fellowship.", Open Doors said.

Christian communities in this region of Nigeria are often stirred by ethnic and religious violence, which can be exacerbated by land conflicts between Fulani herdsmen, Muslims, and majority Christian farmers.

Land grabbing, political tensions and illegal mining have further exacerbated conflicts.

The succession of killings, followed by acts of retaliation, has generated more widespread criminality in these areas, with gangs carrying out targeted raids on villages, mass kidnappings and looting.