At least 300 Christians have been massacred in one county of Plateau state, Nigeria since mid-May, including the killing of two pastors on Sunday, June 4, Christian Info reports.
In Mangu County, Fulani terrorists killed the Rev. Shadrack Ayuba of the Assembly of God Nigeria church in Ntin Kombun village.
Pastor Daluk said in an interview with journalists on Tuesday, June 6, that since mid-May, Fulani terrorists have killed 300 Christians, displaced 30,000 residents, destroyed 28 church buildings and 2,000 houses and looted 150 trailer loads of grains in the Mangu Local Government Area.
Residents of the county’s Ajin village, near Panya town, said that on Sunday night June, 4, Fulani terrorists destroyed homes and a worship church building of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN).
“Christians in this village who survived the attacks have been displaced,” area resident Moses Ayuba said.
The Rev. Emmanuel Haruna, chairman of the Mangu District Church Council of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), said that he knew of 49 Christians killed by terrorists and herdsmenin Mangu County on May 16.
“Kindly pray with us for God’s intervention,” Pastor Haruna said.
The Rev. Jacob Dashop, chairman of the Provincial Church Council, Gindiri, of the COCIN, said that from May 15 to May 17, more than 200 Christians were killed in Fulani herdsmen attacks on the Mangu LGA villages of Kubwat-Bwai, Fungzai-Bwai.
Also in Aloghom-Mangu, Ntam-Mangu, Ligit-lubang/Sabon Layi-Bungha, Jwakji- Panyam, Washna-Panyam, Jwak-Maitumbi-Halle, Murish-Halle, Kikyau-Halle Danhausa-Halle, Gongong-Halle, Gyambwas-Halle, Kyampuus, Ntul-Halle, Gwet-Pushit, Jwakchom-Pushit, Larkas-Pushit, Jwak Ras-Mangu, Kantoma and Gaude.
“Christians killed in Fungzai-Mangu village by Fulani terrorists are mostly women and children; they were buried in a mass grave on Tuesday, 16 May,” Pastor Dashop said.
The Rev. Amos Mohzo, president of the COCIN, visited displaced Christians in camps in Mangu town following the attacks.
“This is our encouragement to you – don’t be afraid,” Pastor Mohzo told them. “You that are alive, this is not the time to fear; follow the instructions of both community and spiritual leaders and be courageous. The Lord will be with you.”
He encouraged survivors to let the devastating attacks test and strengthen their faith.
“We as your church leaders are with you at this difficult moment. The Lord is your strength, and He alone can meet your needs and expectations during this period,” Pastor Mohzo said.
He also told area COCIN pastors to encourage their churches, find strength in prayer and worship and pour out their hearts before the Lord.
“Pray for protection, restoration and healing for your communities and for the local churches,” he said.
“Let us not put our hope on how much weapons we can get to defend ourselves, because our weapon is in Christ. If God will make Samson, just with a jaw of a donkey, to destroy a whole community, that God is still alive. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.”
The Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, president of the ECWA, said that many Christians were still missing as a result of the attacks on Christians in Mangu County.
“This is an unfortunate and mindless situation where innocent Christians are being killed,” Pastor Panya said in a press statement.
“We, the church leaders and spiritual fathers, are calling on the government and all security agencies to immediately stop this ongoing massacre and its spread to more communities.”
