In Nigeria, gunmen on motorcycles kill 22 Christians

The Nigerian army is attempting to suppress the jihadist insurgent movement. Photo: BBC

On September 15, 2025, in the west of Nigeria, in the Tillaberi region, Gunmen on motorbikes have reportedly shot dead at least 22 people celebrating a baptism in an attack on a village in western Niger. At least 22 people were killed, reports catholicnewsagency.

According to local residents, the attackers first shot the baptism participants, killing 15 people, and then moved on and shot seven more. "As villagers gathered to celebrate a baptism ceremony, armed men opened fire, sowing death and terror," wrote human rights activist Maikoul Zodi.

The Tillaberi region is located near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State are active. Local activists have once again criticized the Nigerian authorities for their inability to protect citizens and called for immediate strengthening of security in vulnerable areas.

The situation with violence in Niger continues to deteriorate: since March alone, militants have killed at least 127 civilians, burned houses, and looted villages. The military, who came to power in the summer of 2023, promised to restore order, but the attacks continue, and local residents accuse the government of inaction.

As reported by the UOJ, on September 7, 2025, in the village of Wakeh in Nigeria, armed militants from the nomadic Muslim Fulani tribe attacked local residents. As a result of the assault, nine Christians were killed, and eight more were injured. 

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