Fulani herdsmen this week killed at least nine Christians in Plateau state, Nigeria, following the slaughter of 27 others days before, sources said.

The attacks took place in Bokkos County in the predominantly Christian communities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas, residents said.

Local resident Emmanuel Auta said nine Christians were killed in the Mushere area of Bokkos County on Sunday and Monday (June 1-2).

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with Christians being butchered like what we are currently witnessing,” Auta told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Two Christians were killed on Sunday, June 1, and additional seven Christians were killed on Monday, June 2, all in Mushere area of Bokkos Local Government Area.”

Another resident, Lilian Madaki, said the herdsmen had been attacking Bokkos County villages days before.

“For six days, Fulanis have continued to attack our communities which are predominantly Christian villages,” Madaki said in a text message. “Among some of the Christian victims that I know is a 14-year-old Christian teenager who was shot and wounded and is currently being treated at a hospital.”

Resident Dorcas Ishaya added that herdsmen on May 27 attacked Mbor, Margif and Mijing, “all Christian villages, and set fire on houses and killed many Christians. The attacks occurred at about 11 p.m.”

On late Monday night (June 2) the herdsmen invaded the predominantly Christian villages of Hokk, Pangkap and Fokoldep and were still shooting when area resident Yakubu Kefas sent an alert to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News on Tuesday (June 3).

“Christians are currently under intense and sustained gunfire from Fulani terrorist elements in Hokk, Pangkap, and Fokoldep Christian communities in Bokkos Local Government Area,” Kefas said.

The attacks began at about 11 p.m. the night before, he said.

“The attackers who we believe are Fulani terrorists are carrying out indiscriminate shootings, killings, and large-scale arson, resulting in widespread terror, Christian casualties and destruction of property,” Kefas said.

Residents reported the May 27 kidnapping and killing of the Rev. Mimang Lekyil, 70-year-old pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) congregation in the Kwahas area of Mushere.

Masara Kim, a Christian journalist from the area, said 11 other area Christians were killed on May 25..

“The full name of the slain cleric is Rev. Mimang Lekyil; he was pastor in charge of COCIN Kwahas, Kawel in Mushere,” Kim told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “It was a case of kidnap. The pastor’s wife broke her leg during the incident; 11 other Christians were also killed in Bokkos, on Sunday, May 25.