A pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Yakubu Mutong, has recounted the horrifying ordeal of how armed Fulani militants killed seven of his brothers and more than 150 members of his congregation during coordinated attacks on Maiyanga and other villages in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State in December 2024.
Speaking with deep emotion, Rev. Mutong recalled the tragic events of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, when militants invaded his community and over 10 neighboring villages in simultaneous assaults that left trails of death and destruction.
“My name is Rev. Yakubu Mutong. I am a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN. This is my village, Maiyanga, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,” he began. “More than 11 villages were attacked that night in the same manner — killings, maiming, burning of houses, churches, and destruction of foodstuffs.”
He explained that by the end of the onslaught, over 150 persons had been killed, with several homes and places of worship reduced to ashes. “It was supposed to be Christmas, but for us, there was nothing to celebrate. Everything in this village has been destroyed,” he said sorrowfully.
Standing amidst the ruins of his burnt home, Rev. Mutong said he lost all his belongings — including food and furniture — and watched helplessly as his church and the pastorium were set ablaze. “Personally, I have lost seven of my brothers to this crisis,” he added, his voice trembling.
The December 2024 coordinated attacks left multiple communities across Bokkos in ruins, reigniting concerns over recurring violence and alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria. Survivors like Rev. Mutong continue to live with the trauma, struggling to rebuild their lives from the ashes of what was once their home.