This image grab made from an AFPTV video taken in Maiyanga village, in Bokkos local government, on December 27, 2023, shows families burying in a mass grave their relatives killed in deadly attacks conducted by armed groups in Nigeria's central Plateau State. The death toll from a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria has climbed to almost 200, local authorities said on December 27, 2023, as survivors began to bury the dead. Armed groups launched attacks between December 23, 2023, and December 26, 2023, in Nigeria's Plateau State, a region plagued for several years by religious and ethnic tensions. | KIM MASARA/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images
A devastating night raid by suspected Fulani militants in Bokkos County, Nigeria, has left the local community in shock and grief. According to eyewitness accounts, the brutal 45-minute assault claimed the lives of 11 Christians—including a pregnant woman, her husband, and a 10-year-old girl—while mourners gathered to honor an 87-year-old elder.
A Sudden and Shocking Attack
Survivors at the scene described a sudden and coordinated attack that unfolded in the late evening. Tajot Stephen Alexander, a resident of Ruwi, recounted the horrifying incident:
“In the late evening, armed militants surprised us with their assault. We lost 11 valued lives, including a pregnant woman.”
The attack, carried out by militants suspected to be Fulani, has not only left a trail of devastation but has also intensified fears and insecurity among local Christians, who are already vulnerable amid Nigeria’s growing religious tensions.
Official Condemnation and Calls for Justice
Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang condemned the massacre as a “barbaric act against innocent lives.” Through his spokesman Bere Gyang, the governor extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and promised relentless efforts to bring those responsible to justice:
“This brutal assault is not just an attack on individuals but on our shared humanity. We will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
A Pattern of Escalating Violence
This tragic event is part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has plagued Nigeria over the past five years. Long-standing herder-farmer tensions have escalated into deadly assaults targeting Christian communities. Notable incidents include:
- The December 2023 massacre in Plateau State, where nearly 300 Christians were killed during the Christmas season.
- The April 2023 attack in Mangu, which claimed between 130 and 200 lives.
- An April 2024 assault during Easter gatherings that killed 10 Christians, including another pregnant woman.
- The June 2021 massacre in Odugbeho, Benue State, and a 2018 church attack that left 19 dead and dozens of homes burned.
These incidents, combined with government shortcomings in security and governance, have left vulnerable communities demanding urgent action and protection.
The Broader Impact on Nigeria’s Christian Community
Despite the ongoing persecution, the Christian faith continues to grow in Nigeria. Over the last two decades, the Christian population has surged—from about 60 million in 2000 to 96 million in 2020, with projections estimating an increase to over 155 million by 2050. However, Nigeria currently ranks 7th on the 2025 Open Doors World Watch List as one of the countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
Conclusion
The massacre in Bokkos County is a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced security and robust government intervention to protect Nigeria’s Christian communities. As the nation grapples with religious and ethnic divisions, the call for justice resonates not only in Plateau State but across Nigeria, urging a unified stand against extremism and intolerance.
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