Dwindling Farmland Sparks a Deadly Conflict in Nigeria

Christian farmers, Muslim herdsmen square off in escalating violence that puts President Muhammadu Buhari’s security pledges to the test before elections

Joe Parkinson and

Gbenga Akingbule | Photographs by Etinosa Osayimwen for The Wall Street Journal

May 27, 2018 8:00 a.m. ET

AYA MBALOM, Nigeria—Bridget Ambua was gathering for Mass with residents of this farming community in April when gunmen surrounded their grass-roofed church and opened fire, leaving two priests and 17 worshipers dead within minutes.

“They killed as many men as they could,” the 65-year old grandmother said, including three of her relatives. “A young boy pointed his weapon at me. I still can’t comprehend why he didn’t pull the trigger.”

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