CAN spearheads a protest condemning the killings in Plateau.

  On Monday, the Christian Association of Nigeria led protests against ongoing killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

 The protest, named "Plateau Peace Walk," was headed by state CAN chairman Rev. Polycarp Lubo, ECWA President Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, COCIN President Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, Catholic Bishop of Jos Most Rev. Mathew Audu, Methodist Bishop of Jos Rev. Nkechi Nwosu, and President of the Gideon and Funmi-ParaMallam Peace Foundation Rev. Dr. Gideon ParaMallam, along with other prominent Christian leaders.

Dressed in black attire, the protesters began the peace walk at the PRTVC Roundabout in Jos around 9:30 am, proceeding to the Rayfield Government House, where they were received by top government officials, including the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, Chairman of the Denominational Leaders Forum in Plateau state and National Vice President of CAN, handed a protest letter to the governor for onward delivery to President Bola Tinubu.

 In the letter, Panya expressed the dissatisfaction of Christians and Plateau state residents with the continuous attacks and killings. He highlighted the brutal Christmas Eve attacks on villagers, including children, and emphasized the years of persistent attacks without decisive action to stop them.

Panya criticized the failure of the military and security agents to protect people from terror attacks while preventing victims from defending themselves. 

He urged the President to take drastic action and called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to urgently initiate the official proscription of armed terrorist militias responsible for the killings. 

Additionally, he demanded the release of those allegedly arrested for defending their communities with legitimate self-defense implements after the attacks.

He expressed, "The entire Christian community in Plateau State vehemently condemns the unprovoked, wicked, satanic, and genocidal killings of innocent and defenseless Christians on Christmas Eve in more than 20 communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The timing of these killings on Christmas Eve and during Christmas celebrations indicates clear intentions to target Christian communities, catching them off guard and causing maximum casualties.

According to authenticated statistics, this is one of the deadliest and most devastating attacks on the Plateau.

These attacks were not only horrific and reprehensible but also incomprehensible. For instance, Veronica Malan, a nursing mother, was shot through her stomach, the bullet passing through her abdomen and the back of her 9-month-old baby boy, Godwin.

 They were later slaughtered along with 23 others, mostly women, in their hideout in Chirang, Mangur District. A three-year-old baby girl was shot point-blank and remains critically ill at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

In the Mbong community, the charred bodies of a woman and her five children and relatives, set ablaze by the terrorists, lie in the ruins of their burnt bedroom.

He also called for the release of all those alleged to have been arrested with legitimate self-defense implements, such as cutlasses, clubs, and machetes, in the course of protecting their communities after the attacks."

The timing of these killings on Christmas Eve and during Christmas celebrations indicates clear intentions and objectives of the attackers, targeting Christian communities to catch them off guard and inflict maximum casualties.

According to authenticated statistics released so far, this represents one of the deadliest and most devastating attacks on the Plateau.

The attacks were not only horrific and reprehensible but also incomprehensible. For instance, Veronica Malan, a nursing mother, was shot through her stomach, the bullet passing through her abdomen and the back of her 9-month-old baby boy, Godwin.

 To ensure their deaths, they were slaughtered along with 23 others, mostly women, in their hideout in Chirang, Mangur District. A three-year-old baby girl was shot point-blank and remains critically ill at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

In the Mbong community, the charred bodies of a woman and her five children and relatives, set ablaze by the terrorists, lie in the ruins of their burnt bedroom.

Continuing, he stated, "In a recent press release by The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation dated December 29, 2023, based on facts provided by Mr. Philip Sati Julson, National President of Butura Development Association and Chairman of Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development, further corroborated by Monday Kassah, Transition Chairman of Bokkos LGA, the following breakdown of people killed directly from the scenes of attacks by Districts was given:

- Butura (32 killed, one person still missing)

- Mbar (29 killed)

- Mangor (44 killed with 50 injured and three people still missing)

- Mazat (10 killed, these are Ron people located in Barkin Ladi LGA)

- Bokkos (29 killed)

- Tangur (6 killed)

- Mushere (2 killed)

The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far is about 160 and still counting. The internally displaced people are estimated to be about 15,000. Eight churches were burnt."

The following churches were affected: Baptist, Dares; CAC Mbong; COCIN Maiyanga; COCIN Ndung; COCIN Tahor; CAC Longhair; COCIN, Ngha-buk, and COCIN Church Hurum. All eight pastoriums in these churches were also burnt down.

 Additionally, two pastors from Baptist and Assemblies of God lost their lives in the attacks.

Further details reveal that 110 men, 37 women, 10 children, and 3 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to escape.

 A total of 25 villages fell victim to this well-coordinated military-style assault, with the breakdown by districts as follows: Butura (4), Mbar (5), Tangur (4), Bokkos (6), Mushere (1), Mangor (4), and Mazat (1). The attackers destroyed eight cars, 27 motorcycles, and stole two. The total number of houses burnt is approximately 301.

The mindless, senseless, and barbaric nature of these killings has garnered local, national, and global condemnations, with world leaders and international organizations, including the United Nations, expressing their disapproval.

Pope Francis, in his address during the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, December 31, 2023, lamented the serious violence in Plateau State during the Christmas celebration, praying for the victims and hoping for deliverance from such horrors in Nigeria.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who received the protest letter, pledged to deliver it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He expressed gratitude to the church leaders for maintaining peace despite evident provocation by the terrorists.

 Acknowledging the hardships faced by the people in recent years, Mutfwang affirmed his administration's commitment to achieving lasting peace in the state.

Because we desire to live in peace, I express my gratitude for how you have maintained peace in the land. Despite facing provocation, you have retained your humanity, and for that, I want to say thank you.

"By the grace of God, I have received your petition, and I will be forwarding it to Mr. President, who has demonstrated his commitment as a deliverer.

 On several occasions, he has assured me of his determination to end this cycle of violence. I believe him, as I have witnessed him issuing directives to the heads of the security agencies.

While acknowledging attempts by the security agencies to address the situation, we have also noted some lapses, which we are actively discussing with them. 

I want to reiterate that I did not assume the role of governor to preside over burial ceremonies. By the grace of God, we aim to move from the book of Lamentations to the book of Acts," he said.

Continuing, the Governor promised to utilize all resources at his disposal to ensure the cessation of mindless killings becomes a historical chapter.

Mutfwang added, "We will not idly watch our people being slaughtered. By the grace of God, we will do whatever it takes to halt this carnage and secure our land. 

The blood of the people being shed will not be in vain, and we will persist in seeking justice. If we cannot bring the perpetrators to justice, we will take justice to them.

"We will not permit this to persist, and we will not hide behind politics. If solving this issue is all I can do to secure the Plateau, and you tell me it is enough, I will rest. I did not come as a politician; I have come for the Plateau to rise again.

"I will continue to mobilize all agencies on the ground, providing them with the necessary environment for effective functioning.

 Our lamentations will not be in vain. While we may cry to God in our closets, we will not retreat, we will not back down, and our spirits will not be broken. Today, on the Plateau, I crave for God to bind us together, to unite us.

"Together, we will stand shoulder to shoulder, and no evil man will penetrate our community.

 To your leaders, I implore you to rise to the occasion and demonstrate leadership capacity in your communities. Let's rally behind our church leaders and ensure that together, we operate harmoniously."

Under the same Lord, banner, and savior, we cannot fight amongst ourselves and expect to succeed. It is essential to excuse our differences and ensure that we work together in unity.