"They said Christians won't see Christmas" - Plateau pastor alleges planned attacks

A Plateau State-based cleric has raised an alarm over alleged plot by terrorists to embark on a fresh wave of Christian genocide towards the end of the year.

The man of God, who gave his name as Pastor Damian, made the allegations in a video posted on social media on Tuesday.

He said credible information revealed that the terrorists and Islamic extremists had perfected plans to attack several Christian communities across the state during the Christmas period with the aim of wiping out Christians.

According to the clergyman, the terrorists have been holding surreptitious meetings and donating huge funds to aid their foot soldiers in securing weapons and other logistics to carry out their killing spree reminiscent of the spate of attacks in 2023 where over 1000 Christians were killed in several communities at Christmas.

“We have heard this before. In Barkin Ladi, the rumor went round: ‘You will run with your rice and meat in your pots.’ We went to the Sector Commander and told him. And it came to pass. Just like December 2023.

“And this year is not an exception. We are hearing the same rumor again – that we will not live to enjoy our Christmas,” Pastor Damian said in the video.

He further stated that the plans of the terrorists are to systematically carry out mass attacks across vulnerable communities, grab lands, chase out the natives and impose an Islamic caliphate in the state.

“Every day in Plateau State, we wake up to a killing or killings. Christians are being killed by terrorists who want to grab our land and impose a caliphate. Christmas in Plateau is under threat. They have told us in clear terms that we will not live to witness this 2026 Christmas.

“In the last two months, Christians have been killed in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom, Bokkos and other local government areas. We have buried our youths, elderly, women and children and the government is not doing anything to help us.

“Some youths engaging in mining activities have been attacked and killed by Fulani militias. The youths came for greener pasture – mining to survive. They were sitting in front of their compound after a hard day’s work when gunmen came and shot them for no reason.

“Every day in Plateau we wake up to killings. This is not just attacks. This is land grabbing.

“Changal has been taken; Aloghom has been taken; Gashish has been taken.

“Villages across Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bassa – completely taken over.

“Go to the rocky hills of Barkin Ladi, you will see houses built by force on our land. Land they never bought.

“Nigeria is celebrated worldwide for keeping peace in other nations. What happened to that spirit at home? We have the military. We have the police. We have everything to secure this land. Yet Christians are killed daily by those who feel they have a monopoly of violence.

“We are peace-loving people. We want peace. But how can there be peace when innocent boys with energy to transform Nigeria are killed in front of their own homes?

“Pray for Plateau. Speak for Plateau. The persecution of Christians in Plateau must end,” Damian concluded.