Thousands of Christians in Nigeria March in Protest after Over 200 Christians were Killed on Christmas Eve
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Thousands of Protesters attended a protest led by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Monday, in Plateau State.
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Jan. 8th, led protests over continuous killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
The protest, tagged “Plateau Peace Walk”, was led by the 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, as well the President, Gideon and Funmi-ParaMallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Dr Gideon ParaMallam, among other prominent Christian leaders in the state.
The protesters who were all dressed in black attires started the peace walk at the PRTVC Roundabout in Jos, around 9:30 am and headed to the Rayfield Government House where they were received by top government officials, including the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
Chairman of the Denominational Leaders Forum in Plateau state and National Vice President of CAN, Reverend Stephen Baba Panya, in a protest letter he handed over to the governor for onward delivery to President Bola Tinubu, said that Christians and people of Plateau state were not happy over the continued attacks and killings in the state.
He said a situation whereby the military and other security agents had failed to protect the people against terror attacks and at the same time would not allow the victims to defend themselves against the invasion of their communities is the height of injustice against the people.
He calls on the President to take drastic action to deal with the situation.
He said, “The entire Christian community in Plateau State once again condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked, wicked, satanic and genocidal killings of innocent and harmless Christians on Christmas Eve in over 20 communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
“The timing of these killings on Christmas Eve and during Christmas celebrations has shown that the attackers had clear intentions and objectives, which were to target Christian communities, take them unawares and inflict maximum casualty on them.
“Based on authenticated statistics released so far, this is one of the deadliest and most devastating attacks on the Plateau.
“These attacks were not only Horrific and Reprehensible but Incomprehensible. For example, Veronica Malan, a nursing mother was shot through her stomach and the bullet pierced her abdomen and passed through the stomach and back of her 9-month-old baby boy, Godwin.
“To ensure that they were both dead, 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 still lies critically ill at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
“At the Mbong community, the charred bodies of a woman and her S children and relatives set ablaze by the terrorists lie in the ruins of their burnt bedroom.
Continuing, he said, “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, Butura Development Association and Chairman, Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development which was 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 (1) person still missing); Mbar (29 killed); Mangor (44 killed with 50 injured and three (3) people still missing); Mazat (10 killed, these are Ron people located in Barkin Ladi LGA); Bokkos ( 29 killed); Tangur (6 killed); and Mushere (2 killed). The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far is about 160 and counting.
“Internally displaced People are estimated now to be about 15,000. Eight Churches were burnt down: Baptist, Dares; CAC Mbong; COCIN Maiyanga; COCIN Ndung; COCIN Tahor; CAC Longhair; COCIN, Ngha-buk and COCIN Church Hurum. All the Eight Pastoriums in the churches were also burnt down. Two Pastors of Baptist and Assemblies of God were killed in the attacks.
“A further breakdown shows that 110 men, 37 women, 10 children, and 3 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to run. A total of 25 villages were attacked in the well-coordinated military-style assault.
Total number of cars and buses destroyed (8), Motorcycles (27) while those stolen by the attackers were 2. The total number of houses burnt is about three hundred and one (301).”
“It is not surprising at all that these mindless, senseless and barbaric killings have attracted both local, national and global condemnations. World leaders and international Organisations such as the United Nations have condemned the killings.”
Pope Francis in his address during the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, December 31st, 2023, said, “Sadly, the celebration of Christmas in Nigeria was marred by serious violence in Plateau State, with many victims.”
He prayed for the victims while also trusting that “God will deliver Nigeria from these horrors.”
Sources: https://punchng.com/
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Jan. 8th, led protests over continuous killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
The protest, tagged “Plateau Peace Walk”, was led by the 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, as well the President, Gideon and Funmi-ParaMallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Dr Gideon ParaMallam, among other prominent Christian leaders in the state.
The protesters who were all dressed in black attires started the peace walk at the PRTVC Roundabout in Jos, around 9:30 am and headed to the Rayfield Government House where they were received by top government officials, including the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
Chairman of the Denominational Leaders Forum in Plateau state and National Vice President of CAN, Reverend Stephen Baba Panya, in a protest letter he handed over to the governor for onward delivery to President Bola Tinubu, said that Christians and people of Plateau state were not happy over the continued attacks and killings in the state.
Panya, who recalled how villagers in their communities, including children were brutally murdered in their homes during the Christmas Eve attacks noted that for many years, Christians in Plateau State had come under persistent attacks and killings without any decisive action taken to stop the killings.Just-In: CAN Plateau State Chapter is having a Peaceful Walk to Government House pic.twitter.com/YbFRqtFI9J
— jœy shèkwônúzhïbó (@joeyzhibo) January 8, 2024
He said a situation whereby the military and other security agents had failed to protect the people against terror attacks and at the same time would not allow the victims to defend themselves against the invasion of their communities is the height of injustice against the people.
He calls on the President to take drastic action to deal with the situation.
He said, “The entire Christian community in Plateau State once again condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked, wicked, satanic and genocidal killings of innocent and harmless Christians on Christmas Eve in over 20 communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
“The timing of these killings on Christmas Eve and during Christmas celebrations has shown that the attackers had clear intentions and objectives, which were to target Christian communities, take them unawares and inflict maximum casualty on them.
“Based on authenticated statistics released so far, this is one of the deadliest and most devastating attacks on the Plateau.
“These attacks were not only Horrific and Reprehensible but Incomprehensible. For example, Veronica Malan, a nursing mother was shot through her stomach and the bullet pierced her abdomen and passed through the stomach and back of her 9-month-old baby boy, Godwin.
“To ensure that they were both dead, 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 still lies critically ill at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
“At the Mbong community, the charred bodies of a woman and her S children and relatives set ablaze by the terrorists lie in the ruins of their burnt bedroom.
Continuing, he said, “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, Butura Development Association and Chairman, Bokkos LGA Association of Chairmen of Community Development which was 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 (1) person still missing); Mbar (29 killed); Mangor (44 killed with 50 injured and three (3) people still missing); Mazat (10 killed, these are Ron people located in Barkin Ladi LGA); Bokkos ( 29 killed); Tangur (6 killed); and Mushere (2 killed). The total number of people massacred in cold blood so far is about 160 and counting.
“Internally displaced People are estimated now to be about 15,000. Eight Churches were burnt down: Baptist, Dares; CAC Mbong; COCIN Maiyanga; COCIN Ndung; COCIN Tahor; CAC Longhair; COCIN, Ngha-buk and COCIN Church Hurum. All the Eight Pastoriums in the churches were also burnt down. Two Pastors of Baptist and Assemblies of God were killed in the attacks.
“A further breakdown shows that 110 men, 37 women, 10 children, and 3 physically challenged persons were burnt in their homes as they were unable to run. A total of 25 villages were attacked in the well-coordinated military-style assault.
Total number of cars and buses destroyed (8), Motorcycles (27) while those stolen by the attackers were 2. The total number of houses burnt is about three hundred and one (301).”
“It is not surprising at all that these mindless, senseless and barbaric killings have attracted both local, national and global condemnations. World leaders and international Organisations such as the United Nations have condemned the killings.”
Pope Francis in his address during the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, December 31st, 2023, said, “Sadly, the celebration of Christmas in Nigeria was marred by serious violence in Plateau State, with many victims.”
He prayed for the victims while also trusting that “God will deliver Nigeria from these horrors.”
Sources: https://punchng.com/
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