ABUJA — The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria has taken a grim turn as Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), issued a direct appeal to the government to address the “too much suffering” in the country. Her plea coincided with a brutal massacre in Katsina State, where suspected Fulani bandits reportedly killed at least 24 people in a community under Faskari Local Government Area.
Speaking on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Pastor Adeboye lamented the state of the nation, noting that even the church is not immune to the prevailing economic and security hardships. “Those who are in the government, do something that will bring peace to the people. There is too much suffering. People are not happy,” she stated, emphasizing that the church is feeling the weight of the national struggle.
Katsina Massacre: 24 Slain Despite Peace Accord
While the religious leader called for peace, blood flowed in the North as heavily armed bandits stormed Doma community in the Faskari LGA. Despite a recent peace deal and surrender agreement between local stakeholders and bandit leaders, the attackers unleashed a two-hour reign of terror starting around midday.
Slaughter and Desecration: Local sources and witnesses reported that at least 24 people, including children and the elderly, were “slaughtered and butchered” during the raid. Many victims were reportedly identified as Christian residents, fueling fears of targeted religious persecution in the region.
Destruction of Property: Beyond the lives lost, the assailants set numerous homes and vehicles ablaze, forcing survivors to flee for safety as their livelihoods were reduced to ashes.
Security Vacuum: The attack has triggered fresh outrage over the failure of the “peace deals” frequently brokered with bandit groups. Security experts had previously warned of an imminent strike in the Faskari area, yet no preemptive deployment was made to protect the vulnerable Doma community.
Political and Legal Fallout
The escalating violence in the North has added weight to the ongoing terrorism financing trial of former AGF Abubakar Malami, who is currently in DSS custody. Malami is accused of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers during his tenure, a charge that many believe contributed to the emboldening of Fulani bandit groups.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition figures have seized on these tragedies to challenge the First Lady’s claim that voting for the APC in 2027 is a “patriotic assignment.” They argue that a truly patriotic government would prioritize the lives of citizens over political mobilization for the next election cycle.
As of Wednesday morning, the Katsina State Government and the Nigeria Police Force have yet to release a formal statement regarding the casualties in the Doma massacre.
