Plateau State is once again in the spotlight, but this time for all the wrong reasons. The North East Nigeria Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, through a press release signed by Pastor Joshua Ezra Mallum, the President of the Northeast Nigeria Conference, expresses profound dismay, shock, and sorrow over the unprovoked attacks on Bokkos communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The peace-loving people of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Area fell victim to a group of blood-thirsty gunmen on the eve of the 2023 Christmas, resulting in the loss of lives, including women, children, and the elderly, as well as the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church, deeply disturbed by the recent rounds of gruesome attacks, firmly disapproves and outrightly condemns these senseless and barbaric acts. The Church views the recurrence of such incidents over the past few years as a well-calculated orchestration with an evil agenda of decimation.
Expressing stern disapproval, the Church notes that despite repeated calls for the government to address security challenges in Plateau State and across the Federation, manhunts and genocidal invasions continue. The recent attacks, occurring in broad daylight, amplify the severity of the situation compared to previous incidents under the cover of darkness.
The Church acknowledges the peaceful and hospitable nature of the people of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu, emphasizing their undeserving status as victims of such mayhem. In solidarity with the innocent victims, the Church calls on security agencies to enhance measures to curb further occurrences and restore the erstwhile peaceful status quo.
Urging swift action, the Church appeals to government agencies, corporate organizations, and individuals to provide immediate relief materials to displaced victims in IDP camps. Furthermore, the call is made for intensified efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Encouraging the people of Plateau State to remain steadfast in their peaceful disposition, the Church mourns the tragic events while finding solace in the promise of Revelation 21:4, where sorrow, death, and pain will cease when Jesus wipes away all tears.
In a final note, the Church joins the peace-loving people of Plateau State in prayer, seeking divine intervention to expose hidden plans and thwart the schemes of the enemies.