Christians in Plateau on Monday oraganised a peace walk and special prayer session against the ongoing attacks and killings in the state.
Leaders of various Christian denominations in the state led the walk that commenced from the PRTV Roundabout, Rayfield, Jos, and ended at the Government House where they presented a 10-points demands to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of the state.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the peace walk was in connection with the Christmas eve killings and wanton destruction of properties in some communities of Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Speaking on behalf of Christian community, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), said that the walk was in collaboration with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Panya-Baba, who commended the proactive steps taken by President Bola Tinubu and governor of the state in addressing the security challenges, called for concerted efforts toward addressing the persistent attacks on rural communities in the state.
“The entire Christian community in Plateau once again condemn in strongest terms the unprovoked killings of innocent residents on Christmas eve in over 20 communities in Bokkos, Mangua and Barkin Ladi LGAs
“The timing of these killings during Christmas celebrations has shown that the attackers had clear intentions and objectives; to target communities, take them unawares and inflict maximum casualty on them.
“We call for timely intervention in the provision of emergency relief in terms of food, water, toiletries, sleeping materials and other such necessities to the displaced victims.
“We appreciate the directive given by President Bola Tinubu to relevant federal government agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise and provide succour to the victims.
“We also commend the great effort of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang in not only outrightly condemning the attack, but also taking urgent concrete steps in providing food and other necessities to the displaced survivors in the IDP camps,”he said.
The ECWA president urged the Federal Government to officially designate the armed terrorist behind the killings as terrorists.
He also called on the government to provide adequate security for the over 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bokkos and the reconstruction of destroyed communities, adding that such move would enable them return to their homes without delay.
Responding, the governor thanked Plateau residents for the support and assured the Christian community that their demands would be trasmitted to the president without delay.
He acknowledged President Tinubu’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence in all parts of the country, and commended his determination to secure the land, promising that the bloodsheds would not be in vain.
NAN reporst that soome of the church leaders who were part of the event include, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, the CAN Chairman in the state, Most Rev. Mathew Audu, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Nkechi Nwosu, the Methodist Bishop of Jos, among others.
