Two weeks before the debate, Fulani militias murdered at least 23 Christians in Kawel village, Nigeria, including a pastor.

Omissions

• The exact death toll varies across reports: persecution.org states 22 killed in Kawel, while Christian Daily, Premier Christian News and Barnabas Aid report 28 killed (including the pastor). The specific figure '23' appears in no source found.
• The attack occurred on or around 20-22 June 2026, which is approximately 2 to 2.5 weeks before the debate of 8 July 2026, not exactly two weeks.
• No primary/official source (e.g., Nigerian police or Plateau State government statement) was found; all corroborating sources are Christian news outlets or NGOs.
• The pastor was identified as Markus Nyam of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN).

Sources

• SecondaryChristian DailyFulani terrorists kill 28 Christians in central Nigeria... Markus Nyam, pastor of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), was among those killed along with members of his local church congregation in Kawel.
• Secondarypersecution.orgMuslim Gunmen Kill 31 Christians in Attacks Across Plateau, Kaduna States · 22 Killed in Night Attack on Kawel Community · 9 Killed in Attack on...
• SecondaryBarnabas AidAt least 39 people have been killed in separate attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt. Suspected Fulani Islamists struck the Kawel community of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, on Sunday 20 June, leaving at least [multiple dead]; a related social post specifies 28 Christians killed in the village of Kavel in the Bokkos area on June 22.
• SecondaryPremier Christian NewsA pastor is among 28 Christians killed in central Nigeria by Fulani herdsmen who were specifically targeted due to their faith.