Source: www.persecution.org
Date: December 26, 2023
Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Assailants went on a rampage on Christmas Eve in Plateau State, Nigeria, killing at least 96 people in 15 communities according to police. Some media estimates placed the number killed at 140.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, issued a statement on Tuesday that 96 people were killed in two of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) — Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi — and 221 houses were burned.
“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Okoro Alawari expresses grief over the deadly attacks that took place in some remote villages of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State carried out by some yet-to-identified assailants on the December 24, 2023 at odd hours of the night, and sympathizes with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the gruesome attack,” Alwari said in the statement.
“On December 24, 2023, at 2200hrs, the following 12 villages in Bokkos LGA were attacked: Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani.
“Similarly, on December 24, 2023, at about 2245hrs, three villages in Barkin-Ladi LGA namely, NTV, Hurum and Darawat were also attacked.
“Findings from the assessment of the ugly incidents in Bokkos LGA revealed that the total number of villages attacked is 12; 221 houses were set ablaze, 27 motorcycles were burnt, eight motor vehicles were burnt down and over 79 persons were killed while 17 deaths were recorded in Barkin-ladi LGA.
The commissioner also stated that he was sending additional forces to the area to prevent further attacks.
International Christian Concern (ICC) has been chronicling attacks against Christian communities by Fulani militias in Nigeria and named the country as one of the most dangerous for believers. More than 50,000 Christians have been killed in the Middle Belt region over the past 20 years, and millions have been displaced.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for comfort for all those who lost loved ones. Pray for provision for those whose homes were burned down. Pray for the gospel to reach the hearts of the assailants in this attack.