Nigeria: New Machete Attacks Killing Christian Women and Children – Cut Out Tongues

http://www.realcourage.org/2010/03/new-nigeria-killings-in-jos/

By R.E.A.L. Organization • on March 17, 2010

Another attack on Nigerian Christians murdering women and children, following the March 7, 2010 night time attack which resulted in a reported 500 dead

Nigeria: “Attackers in fresh Jos violence cut out victims’ tongues”
– Punch reports: “Machete-wielding raiders who killed over 12 people in an early Wednesday morning attack on the village of Byei, in the Riyom area near Jos, Plateau State cut out the victims’ tongues, according to agency reports.”
– “The Associated Press reports that the attack almost mirrored the tactics used by those who carried out similar massacres in villages dominated by ethnic Berom Christians last week when more than 500 people were slaughtered.”
– “Under the cover of darkness and a driving rain, raiders with machetes entered Byie village early Wednesday, setting fire to homes and firing gunshots into the air to drive frightened villagers into the night, witness Linus Vwi told AP”
– “Vwi said he and about 20 neighbors rushed into the surrounding wilderness, cowering in bushes as they listened to screams.”
– “He said the attackers spoke Fulani. Officials and witnesses blamed Fulani herders for the killings last week.”
– “Fulani community leader, Mallam Sale Bayari, denied that Fulanis took part in those killings, though he said the community suffered a similar massacre recently.”
– “Six people were wounded in the overnight raid and taken to a local hospital, said Mark Lipdo, leader of a regional Christian nonprofit group. He said attackers burned down 15 homes during the violence.”
– “The dead included seven women, four children and one man, Lipdo said. Attackers removed the tongues of most of the victims, witnesses said.”

– Punch: Jos: 12 killed in fresh violence

– Nigeria: At Least 13 Killed in New Nigerian Sectarian Clash
– Voice of America: “Nigerian officials and residents say at least 13 people were killed by Muslim herdsmen who attacked a predominantly Christian village close to the troubled central city Jos.”
– “Witnesses say the attackers, disguised as soldiers, raided the village, 30 kilometers south of Jos, at dawn. Most of the victims of the attack were women and children. Local officials said security forces were alerted about the attack, but help came too late”

– Fulani Muslim herdsmen kill 12 Christians in new Nigerian massacre