Sobs could be heard in many videos shared online from the thousands of residents who attended the ceremony held in Makurdi, Benue State capital to see the procession of coffins with crucifixes on them.

The clash between the mainly Muslim Fulani ethnic militants – groups of semi-nomadic herdsmen and Christian farmers happened on New Year’s Day.

The governor of the state, Sam Ortom said during the service that the herdsmen “went on a rampage wielding machetes”.

This is horrendous; pls tell me it is not true… We must remember Benue in our prayers… And life continues as normal… Even foreign media don’t consider us worthy of attention… Sad and saddening!!! pic.twitter.com/zLdSSS3gpM

— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) January 12, 2018

He also claimed the killings were done to intimidate the state government to repeal a controversial ban on open cattle grazing implemented in November, which Fulani herders have complained targets them unfairly.

Mr Onoja said that herdsman had a “misconception” the law was against them.

He went on to say: “[Until now] Fulani herders have been a law unto themselves.

“We want them to adopt ranching. These clashes result from the encroachment of cattle on farmers’ land.”

Some of the residents told local news reporters they were worried about the effect incessant attacks on farmers in the state would have on the state’s economy which heavily relies on agriculture.

Violence between Christian farmers and Fulani herdsmen has 

Court (picture above), 75, who holds the record for most Grand Slam singles titles across the amateur and Open eras, is now a Christian pastor who lives in Perth, Western Australia and has campaigned against the introduction of gay marriage..

King, a pioneer for equality and diversity in tennis, said she had initially been a proponent of having Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena named in recognition of the 24-time Grand Slam singles winner’s contribution to the sport.

“I was fine until lately when she said so many derogatory things about my community – I’m a gay woman – about the LBGTIQ community,” King said at news conference on Friday. “That really went deep in my heart and soul.

“I personally don’t think she should have (her name on the stadium) anymore.”

King is attending the Australian Open for the first time in eight years, marking the 50th anniversary of her Australian title.

She said if she was still competing, she would not play at the Margaret Court Arena.

Organisers have named the American tennis veteran as the Australian Open Woman of the Year and launched its “Open4All” initiative to promote equality, diversity and inclusion to coincide with King’s visit.

King, one of the original professionals in women’s tennis and winner of 12 major singles titles in the Open era, said she had regularly met Court at tournaments in the years since they retired after “we…

Cindy Jacobs also said God was “hardening” the dictator’s heart in the same way he turned Pharaoh against Moses when he arrived in Egypt to deliver the Israelites.

The Possessing the Gates of the Enemy author from Dallas in a video posted online: “He’s not going to allow Kim Jong Un to stay in that position.

“Something is going to dramatically happen because his time for being a dictator is over, unless he turns his heart to the Lord.”

Recalling her experience at the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders’ recent Global Prophetic Summit event, Jacobs said she felt God say he was “dealing” with the world’s “evil dictators”.

Pointing to the removal of Robert Mugabe from his post as President of Zimbabwe, she also warned God is planning a change of leadership in Venezuela and Iran.

But, address Kim Jong Un directly, she said: “There are people praying for you and if you will completely change, God is going to help you on a path that will not be destructive.

“If you serve God and if you change your ways, God will protect you, He will protect North Korea in a unique way and make peace with South Korea, but if you continue on your path, it will lead to your destruction. “

Cindy Jacobs and her husband Mike founded Generals International in 1985; it encourages believers in practises including prayer, prophecy and intercession.

North Korea has drawn repeated criticism from the…

The man, named locally as Peregbakumo Oyawerikumo, was detained in the southern Delta region yesterday following a two-month search for his whereabouts.

He was wanted over the death of 57 year old Ian Squire from Shepperton in Surrey, who was shot dead the day after being kidnapped on 13th October 2017.

Mr Squire was among four missionaries captured in the town of Enekoragha; the three other hostages were released two weeks later.

His fellow hostages were later named as 57 year old David Donovan and his wife Shirley – also 57 – from Cambridgeshire, and Alanna Carson from Fife.

The four hostages were working with the New Foundations charity, which operates four health clinics.

The Daily Telegraph quoted local sources who said Mr Oyawerikumo was arrested after two fellow-gang members were detained while buying food in a Delta village.