Christians Killed at Nigerian Easter Service

Guest Commentary

Audio By Carbonatix

By Amber Ginter, Crosswalk.com

Over the last two decades, there’s been an increasing concern for Christians in countries like Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Pakistan, Libya, Iran, and Nigeria. Unlike the United States, most of these areas consider the Christian faith a direct and severe threat to the state. Sadly, this “threat” typically results in Christians being imprisoned, abused, or even killed.

On Easter Sunday, 2026, this was the case for 12 Christians attending a worship service in Kaduna state, Nigeria. During the two worship services, the 12 were attacked immediately following the killing of 17 more Christians in Benue state, said the Christian Post.

Sources report that the attackers invaded predominantly Christian Ariko town in Kachia County by firing on Christians worshipping at an Evangelical Church Winning All site and St. Augustine Catholic Church. In addition to these attacks, both church buildings were vandalized and damaged, and dozens of other Christians were kidnapped in the process of the attack.

Kachia Council Member Mark Bawa told Christian Daily International–Morning Star News that the attackers have since been identified as a large group of Fulani bandits. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, these Fulani bandits are armed gangs currently responsible for thousands of deaths through systematic violence.

“They surrounded the community and attacked the churches as Christians were in worship services. Many Christians have been killed, while dozens of others were captured and taken away into the bush,” added Bawa.

Resident Sam Bahago noted that while Ariko town is typically a peaceful community in Kachia, he knew of at least eight Christians who were killed and many others who were dragged off into the forest.

After the attack, it was confirmed by army personnel that the death toll was actually 12. While that might seem like a small number, this attack merely adds to the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel who’ve been attacked by groups like the Muslim Fulani.

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Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.