Nigeria: Scores killed in Christmas Eve attacks

Nigeria Christmas attack on the Stefanos Foundation. Image: Release International

Source: Release International

At least 160 people were killed and many others are missing after a series of attacks by gunmen on remote villages in north-central Nigeria's Plateau state on Christmas Eve. According to media reports, the victims, including many Christians preparing to celebrate Christmas, were murdered in a series of attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria between 23 December and Christmas Day.

Morning Star News reports church pastors were killed and hundreds of houses destroyed in massacres that swept across villages in several counties, including Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu.

Release International's Nigeria partner has confirmed that in Dares village nine church members, including the pastor Solomon Gushe were murdered.

They confirm the attacks took place during Christmas celebrations, and say: "We are deeply saddened by these incidents and condemn these killings and attacks on innocent Christians during their worship."

"Our hearts go out to beleaguered Christians in Nigeria. We join them in their grief," said Paul Robinson, CEO of UK-based Release International which supports persecuted Christians around the world... We call for prayer for the Church, and for Nigeria to take decisive and effective action to protect its vulnerable Christian communities."

Release International's latest Persecution Trends report warns "The persistent killing of small groups and individuals is spreading across the central regions of southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states."

Jihadists and their allies are attacking Christian communities, "dispossessing them of their lands by destroying their food supplies and forcing them to convert or flee."

A jihadi conflict has raged in northeastern Nigeria since 2009, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing around 2 million, as Boko Haram battles for supremacy with rivals linked to the so-called Islamic State group.

The Nigerian army said it has begun "clearance operations" in search of suspects, with the help of other security agencies, although arrests are rare in such attacks.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, elected this year after promising to tackle security challenges his predecessor had failed to address, instructed security agencies to "scour every stretch of the zone and apprehend the culprits," according to a statement from his office.

He also ordered the "immediate mobilization of relief resources" for the survivors and prompt medical treatment for the wounded.

The annual Persecution Trends report, published on December 27, also highlights India, Pakistan and China, among others, where persecution is increasing.

LINK

Persecution Trends report: https://releaseinternational.org/persecution-trends-report-2024/