Following the tragic Christmas Eve attacks that claimed numerous lives in Plateau State communities, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has deemed the recent assaults one of the most devastating incidents in the history of the state.
In response, ECWA President and CAN Vice President in Plateau State, Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, alongside other prominent church leaders, made a ten-point demand for peace during a Peace Walk organized by the church denominational leaders and CAN in Jos on Monday.
Christians in Plateau joined the Peace Walk from PRTV Roundabout to the Government House in Jos, where the leaders called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to initiate the process of proscribing the armed militia alleged to be behind the attacks as terrorists. The proscription, according to CAN, would grant security agencies the power to fully engage the terrorists, in accordance with the Terrorism Act of 2022.
Rev. Stephen Baba Panya emphasized the urgency, stating, “We unanimously call on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as a matter of urgency, to initiate the process of officially proscribing the armed terrorist militias responsible for these mindless killings.”
He added, “They should be officially designated as terrorists. This will give the military the power to fully engage them as provided in the Terrorism Act of 2022.”
The church leaders highlighted the need for a regional approach and international collaboration to address the menace of the Fulani militias, calling for engagement with other West African countries through ECOWAS.
CAN also advocated for the establishment of a North Central Development Commission to ameliorate the sufferings of victims in the region. Rev. Panya explained, “We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to establish the North Central Development Commission (NCDC). This will help immensely in the rebuilding and rehabilitation process of the affected communities.”
Responding to the demands, Governor Caleb Mutfwang assured that his administration would not stand idly by while people were being slaughtered. He acknowledged efforts by security agencies and discussed ongoing discussions to address lapses.
Governor Mutfwang stated, “By the grace of God, we will move from the book of Lamentations to the book of Acts. We will not sit back and watch our people slaughtered. By the grace of God, we will do all that it takes to ensure that this carnage is stopped, and our land is secured.”
Rev. Gideon-Para-Mallam, founder of Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, confirmed the latest statistics of casualties and devastation from the recent Christmas Eve attacks. He reported a total of 212 people killed, 403 houses burnt, 403 food barns destroyed, and numerous vehicles and motorcycles damaged. The Peace Walk concluded with a minute’s silence to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic events.