Young Blessing Kogi was having dinner with her extended family when armed men barged in their house in northern Nigeria and opened fire.

“It was 7pm and we were all in the house having dinner: my grandmother, my mother, three of my siblings, my sister-in-law, nephew and three of my cousins,” the 23-year-old University student from Jos, told Aid to the Church in Need.

Blessing Kogi. Photo: Aid to the Church in Need Malta

“I dropped to the floor and played dead but one of them walked to where I was lying down and shot me twice – on my neck and shoulder.”

The city of Jos has endured long years of violent inter-religious crises but just as it started getting a breather, incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen made it impossible for people to get back on their feet.

A recent fresh cycle of violence triggered by a night attack left many orphans, spouseless and helpless, according to the charity that has a branch in Malta.

Ms Kogi told ACN she lost her mother, three siblings and six other family members in one night during the attack at the residential neighbourhood of Rukuba Road, in Jos. Only the young woman and one of her cousins survived the attack despite sustaining injuries.

Jos Archbishop, Mgr Ignatius Kaigama, who will be visiting Malta soon, reacted to the Fulani herdsmen attacks.

“Once again, innocent lives have been lost, properties destroyed, healing wounds re-infected, psychological trauma caused and inter-ethnic and religious suspicion rekindled. We shall not give up in our struggle for peaceful coexistence,” Mgr Kaigama, who has become the face of inter-religious dialogue in Nigeria, said, adding all must do their part.

Religious leaders must sincerely preach peace, politicians avoid operating negatively behind the scenes, security agents have to be fair, unbiased and neutral in their operations, government leaders should care for citizens facing hostile attacks by criminals, youths had to avoid irrationality and stop being used and criminals should stop injuring humanity, he insisted.

In Malta, Mgr Kaigama will be speaking at the ACN’s Religious Freedom Report launch on Friday. He will provide his testimony and experience of his pastoral work among persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

For more information one can phone 2148 7818 or send an e-mail to info@acnmalta.org