In central Nigeria, Plateau State has been a hotspot for significant violence from militant groups during recent years. Over the past month, as many as 130 Christians have died in various attacks within the state. In each case, the violence has been attributed to groups of Fulani militants.

On the night of March 25th, Adnan Masih and his wife Shumaila were heading home from work on their motorcycle when they were suddenly intercepted by two armed gunmen. After seizing the married couple's cell phone and the small amount of cash they were carrying, the thieves physically beat the Christians and demanded more money. Adnan told the gunmen that he and his wife were poor Christians who had nothing more to give. It was then that the attack became more violent.

On April 7th, Muslim imams organized a demonstration in the southern city of Sélibaby, Mauritania, to protest against Christians within their community. The protest, which had been approved by the authorities, was instigated after a Christian convert died in a motorcycle accident a few days earlier. Some Muslim leaders were angered over the burial of the Christian's body within their community, since they regarded him as an "apostate."