Stefanos Foundation Responds with Relief Aid for Christmas Eve Attack Victims, Calls for International Attention in Plateau
In response to the tragic Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, where over 200 individuals lost their lives, Stefanos Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to human rights and peace-building, has extended a helping hand by donating relief items, particularly foodstuffs, to the victims.
At Cocin Church Bokkos, where internally displaced persons sought refuge, the Program Coordinator of Stefanos Foundation, Engineer Mark Lipdo, emphasized the severity of the situation. He expressed concern over the continuous killings of Christians, especially in instances where unarmed civilians face attacks in their homes with sophisticated firearms during the night.
“A situation where armless and helpless are living and sleeping in their calm homes in the night and are being attacked with sophisticated firearms is unacceptable and a situation that calls for international attention,” Lipdo stated during the donation.
Lipdo, said Stefanos Foundation representing an international Christian Assembly founded to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria, expressed deep distress as this incident is not the first of its kind in Plateau State. Referring to records dating back to 2001 in Jos, he highlighted the longstanding history of violence targeted against Christians.
The Program Coordinator urged authorities to respond to security reports dating back to the 24th of December 2023 promptly. He asserted that the lack of a timely response led to the recent tragic incident, categorizing it as a clear indication of a terror attack that has left numerous Christians helpless.
“It is no longer news that what has happened here can be best described as terrorist activity, which is also happening in some other parts of Nigeria. We are calling on the Government with a loud voice to look at what is happening in Bokkos today and many other parts of the middle belt and North Eastern parts of Nigeria,” Lipdo emphasized.
Expressing gratitude for the support from various donors, Lipdo hoped that efforts would be made to ensure that every victim is reached by the universal church. He also prayed for God to sustain the displaced persons during this challenging moment.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bokkos, Rev Stephen Asugum, acknowledged the severity of the attacks, stating that over 200 persons have lost their lives since the wake of Christmas Eve. He urged for continued interventions like that of Stefanos Foundation to bring some relief to the internally displaced persons.
Displaced individuals, including Yohana Makwim (Rtd) from Mandar community and Theresa Frances from Mangor Community, emphasized the need for adequate security presence to address lingering threats, allowing them to return to their homes and farms. The Stefanos Foundation team subsequently embarked on an assessment mission to various communities to evaluate the extent of damage and carnage.
