Suspected Islamist gunmen have killed 37 people in coordinated pre-dawn attacks on four predominantly Christian Nigerian villages Tuesday, Morning Star News reported.
 

While there has not been an official claim of responsibility, the press service, which spotlights persecution of Christians around the world, believes the raids are linked to ones carried out earlier this month by Boko Haram, a jihadist group responsible for scores of attacks in Nigeria since 2009.

A Nigerian military spokesman said the attackers opened fire on the residents of four overwhelmingly Christian villages in Plateau at approximately 1:00 AM, the BBC reported.

The attacks occurred in Plateau state in east-central Nigeria, a flashpoint for conflict between the Fulani ethnic group, which is predominantly Muslim, and the Berom, who are Christians.

Morning Star reported that Fulani herdsmen  carried out the attacks, and that the victims were Christians.
 

It said Nigerian Christian leaders believe that the Fulani are being encouraged by “Islamist extremist groups,”  to attack Christian areas, obtain land for grazing and eventually eliminate Christianity in the area.
 

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