The Lay Faithful Trust Foundation (LFTF) says it is time for Christians to seek lasting solutions prayerfully and collectively to the crisis rocking parts of the country where blood is shed from time to time.
“The Bible teaches that blood defiles the land,” the group said in a statement by one of its leaders, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, shortly after it delivered relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bokkos, one of the scenes of a vicious attack by Fulani militia on Christmas Eve, allegedly avenging an unstated earlier attack.
There have also been allegations that the militia is in pursuit of lands to take over after reports, even by State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, that over 60 communities have been attacked, while their lands were taken over by persons of Fulani extraction.
A viral video of the interrogation in Hausa language, by one of the suspected attackers, Jibrin Nuhu, detailed how himself and others brought in Fulani militia from Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to attack some native residents he had lived with for 47 years. The government is yet to react to the interrogation, ostensibly carried out in a government facility.
Meanwhile, the statement by LFTF spokesman, Emmanuel reads in full:
“Following the dastardly Christmas Eve attacks on unarmed Christian communities in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Lardi LGAs of Plateau state, in which 238 Christians were murdered by Islamist insurgents, Lay Faithful Trust Foundation conducted relief distribution of food to the affected brethren. The attacks reportedly took place in 30 villages and communities of the affected Local Government Areas. Reports from the IDP camp managers in Bokkos indicated that about 19,000 people were displaced because of the attacks, and they fled to the headquarters of Bokkos LG for refuge.
“There is a total of 13 IDP camps in Bokkos to accommodate the 19,000 displaced persons. Church buildings were used as makeshift camps because of the urgency of the situation and the huge number of the victims. Each Church building so designated was allocated several people to be hosted. The feeding in the camp is said to be centralized. All relief support for the affected brethren is stored in a common room from which distribution is made to the people in the camp.
“After the Christmas Eve attacks on unarmed Christians in Plateau state, there were reported attacks on 1st and 4th January 2024 on Christians in Yobe, Borno, and Kaduna states. Over 46 Christians were also killed. As of the time of filing this report, fresh attacks have been launched by Muslim insurgents in Mangu. The Governor had to declare a curfew to restrict movement.
“The relentless attacks on Christians in Nigeria since 2009 is a challenge to the body of Christ to ensure that it is ended. While it is commendable that some Christians respond to the humanitarian needs of the affected brethren it is time for Christians to seek lasting solutions prayerfully and collectively to this crisis. The Bible teaches that blood defiles the land.
“We thank all the brethren who donate funds to support of persecuted Christians in Nigeria. God bless you and replenish your purse. May the Lord make you abound in every way so that you can continue to be generous on every occasion.
“Our appreciation also goes to the team that conducted the relief project in Bokkos. We thank Bro. Raymond as well as Pastor Gambo. God bless you all.
“As we start this new year, we pray for peace all over Nigeria. We pray that all those in leadership positions shall be proactive in tackling terrorism and corruption in the country. We also pray that Christian leadership shall be more proactive to bring the Presence and power of Christ to bear upon Nigeria.
“God bless you all.”
The statement further urged donationsto support persecuted Christians to the Lay Faithful Trust Foundation United Bank for Africa (UBA) account number
1024937491.
