“I slept hungry for days until Barnabas Fund helped” – Displaced pregnant woman

On April 14, 2020, gunmen believed to be herdsmen, killed nine villagers in Plateau State, including four children, ages 3-7 and a pregnant woman.

Tens of “Fulfulde speaking men,” locals say attacked Hura hamlet in Maiyanga village of Kwall District, Bassa Local Government Area with machetes and AK-47 rifles, at about 8pm local time.

Firing from the far bushes as they approached the native’s houses, the men chanted “Allahu Ak’bar, screaming on top of their voices,” said a survivor, Mrs. Hanatu John.

“We all ran out and they chased after us with more gunfire, burning our houses behind. We escaped with only our night wears on,” Hannatu, a pregnant mother of five said.

Hannatu ran with her children to Kwall village, a neighboring community located five miles away but had no home to sleep.

She therefore returned to the attacked village few days later to join her poor peasant husband who was nearly killed while keeping watch the night of the attack.

Hannatu is expecting a baby in July but has nothing to buy baby clothes or go to hospital with.

Even food to eat is a huge challenge, but Hannatu is much relieved taking a donation of grains from US based Barnabas Fund.

“For days I had no food to eat and was even wondering if my baby would die inside due to hunger; but Barnabas Fund came and donated food to us, and renewed my hopes of having my baby healthy and alive,” said Hannatu.

Over 150 of them lost their houses and livelihoods during the attack but no one had visited them with any relief, said Mr. Zarachi Sunday Robert, the Youth Leader of Kwall District.

Barnabas Fund only got the news through media reports, but sent over 5 tons of assorted grains to share to the IDPs.

The donation is one of efforts by the foundation to help victims of conflicts in Nigeria recover and find justice, said its representative, Rev. Hassan John.