- It resulted in the tragic loss of over 200 lives
One survivor of the Christmas Eve terrorist attacks in Plateau State, Evangelist John Mahan from Mabor, shared a harrowing account of the assailants killing 20 members of his church as they prepared for a Christmas vigil.
The attacks spanned across 30 communities in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi local government areas, resulting in the tragic loss of over 200 lives. In Bokkos Local Government Area alone, more than 1,000 houses were set ablaze.
Additionally, 88 individuals sustained injuries and were admitted to hospitals amid the widespread violence.
According to Vanguard, in his own account, Evangelist John Mahan said, “It was Christmas Eve and we were preparing for a vigil in the Church which was to start by 6pm.
“By 5.30pm, I was in the Church to prepare when I heard sounds of gunshots. We came out to check the direction of the gunshots, and that was when we saw people running that neighbouring communities like Lunghai, Tahore, Chirang, Tamiso, and others were under attack.
“We had to start looking for a safe place but before we knew it, gunshots were just everywhere. As I speak with you, my personal friend and more than 20 members of our Church were killed and the communities destroyed.”
From December 23rd to 25th, several communities across the three local government areas were razed. These communities include Mutfet, Ndun, Sanyan, Kyong, Kop Mandarken, Lunghai, Chirang, Makundang, Fashar, Garau, Mbong, Tahore, Tamiso, Wang, Hirpiya, Butura Kampani, Maijankai, Dares, Kamluk, Sundul, Garah Mushere, Kambar Mupeli, Mbar Fiton, Daruwat, Hurum, Mai Yanga, NTV, Lar’apya and others.
One of the survivors, Mrs Uren Matthew who lost her son in the incident said, “I am from Chirang, we were preparing for Christmas which we never celebrated. We heard that Fulani were attacking many communities, so we were apprehensive. When night fell, we were preparing to go and hide near the stream but we did not know they were there already.
“As we got there, they swooped on us and there was confusion as everyone was running. I got a cut on my hand as I was trying to block the machete they were using on us. My son and I were attacked so we pretended to be dead. “My son was also quiet for some time, but as he made an effort to crawl away, they noticed that he was not dead so they used a stone to hit him on the head and he died. I only survived because I pretended that I was dead so they left me.”
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