In one, suspicion falls on jihadist militants, whereas in another the perpetrators are believed to be armed gangs of ethnic Fulani herdsmen.

“The recent barbaric abduction of over 60 worshippers from a Mosque in Borgu, Niger State, and the horrific massacre of 47 innocent citizens, with 17 others critically wounded, in Ukum, Benue State, represent a worsened breakdown of security. Whether in a mosque, a church, a marketplace, or the quiet of their homes, Nigerians are still being slaughtered, traumatised, and displaced with impunity”, the bishops wrote in their statement to ACN. ACN is a Catholic charity that assists persecuted Christians worldwide.

Although the violence in Nigeria is often spoken of in terms of clashes between Muslims and Christians, in the case of Borgu both attackers and victims were Muslim. In their statement, the bishops made a point of expressing solidarity with all the victims.