Five worshippers were killed and three others wounded when gunmen opened fire on a Bible study meeting in Kampani village of Kaduna state, Nigeria, in an attack residents blame on ongoing Fulani militant violence targeting Christian communities.

According to The Western Journal, the assault unfolded around 3:30 p.m. local time on Friday, July 11, at the Evangelical Church Winning All in Kampani village, located within Kajuru County, a southern region of Kaduna state. Armed men stormed the church grounds and fired on Christians gathered for a routine Bible study meeting.

The victims of the attack included Victor Haruna, Dogara Jatau, Luka Yari, Jesse Dalami, and Bawu John. Each of these individuals died from gunshot wounds sustained in the ambush. Three additional participants—Samuel Aliyu, Philip Dominic, and Jacob Hussaini—were injured and are reportedly receiving medical attention.

The tragedy marks yet another instance in a troubling sequence of violent events targeting Christians in southern Kaduna. Local authorities and residents have described a pattern of attacks and abductions believed to be orchestrated by militants identified as armed Muslim Fulani extremists.

Spate of Violence Escalates in Rural Communities

Happiness Daniel, a resident of the region, described the constant pressure under which Christians in the area are forced to live. “We constantly live in fear every day,” Daniel said. “We can’t sleep in our homes and we can’t go to farms.”

Analysts say insecurity in Kajuru and Kachia Local Council Areas has become chronic. Residents report that at least 110 Christians have been abducted in Kajuru County in the first six months of 2025 alone, with dozens of those cases still unresolved.

Other violent incidents have heightened alarm in the community. On the night of June 28, Fulani assailants kidnapped local leader Obadiah Iguda from Bauda village in Kufana District. That abduction occurred just after 1 a.m. while the village was asleep, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the threat.

Christian Leaders Fear Deepening Crisis

Community leader Stephen Maikori characterized recent violence as a blow to an already traumatized public. He said the attack has “deepened the atmosphere of insecurity and fear” among not only Bauda but also its neighboring areas.

Another significant assault occurred on March 12, when Fulani militants carried out coordinated raids on three villages: Unguwan Yashi, Makyali, and Ungwan Mudi Doka. During that spree, a Christian pastor was murdered, and 30 others were reportedly abducted at gunpoint.

Jonah Dodo, another resident, said the incidents have brought intense grief and unease to families across Kaduna. “It’s with so much pain in my heart to intimate you about the constant attacks on our peace-loving communities by armed Muslim Fulani terrorists,” he said.

Nigeria Ranked Among Most Dangerous for Christians

The growing number of casualties has led watchdog groups to sound the alarm on Nigeria’s deteriorating security climate, especially for Christians. According to the 2025 World Watch List published by Open Doors, Nigeria accounted for nearly 70 percent of all faith-based Christian killings recorded globally last year.

Of the 4,476 Christians reportedly killed for their faith worldwide, 3,100 were located in Nigeria. This statistic places the West African nation among the most hazardous places globally for followers of the Christian religion.

Open Doors also raised concerns about broader international trends in religious persecution. In countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, and Iran, Christians continue to be arrested and imprisoned for practicing their faith. In India alone, more than 1,600 Christians were detained without formal charges or trials during the past year.

Local Appeals for Greater Action

Residents in southern Kaduna are calling for urgent action from the state and federal governments to stem the tide of violence. Many have voiced frustration over what they see as a lack of effective response from security forces to deter armed groups.

The fear persists not only because of current threats but also due to the belief that the violence is escalating unchecked. Some villagers have begun to abandon their farms and homes, seeking shelter elsewhere amid rising uncertainty.

“This is the present predicament of most communities within Kajuru and Kachia,” resident Happiness Daniel said, pointing to fear as the dominant emotion engulfing daily life in the region.

Religious Freedom Advocates Demand Reforms

Faith organizations and human rights groups continue to urge the Nigerian government to treat the situation as a national emergency. As Christian groups face increased threats, advocates stress the need for security reforms and legal protections for religious minorities.

While the government has publicly condemned attacks on civilians, critics say more decisive action is needed on the ground to restore safety to the affected regions. The lack of arrests and prosecutions following high-profile attacks has only added to public frustration.

The Evangelical Church Winning All, the target of the July 11 attack, has asked for prayers and solidarity as it mourns the members lost in the devastating incident. Grieving families and injured victims now face the difficult task of healing amid fear that the violence may return.