The Nigerian Baptist Convention has expressed dismay over the violence perpetrated by gunmen resulting in the loss of lives among its members in Plateau State.
Reports indicate that nine individuals affiliated with the church lost their lives in the Dares community during a series of attacks by gunmen on various Plateau communities on Christmas Eve.
Ishaya Moses, a survivor and member of the church, verified the tragic incident when the President of the Plateau Baptist Conference, Rev. K.K. Saleh, visited the community on Wednesday.
“Nine Baptist church members were killed during the attack on Dares community in Bokkos LGA. The victims worship at Nasara Baptist church here.
“After the killings, the terrorists put on the church generator in the night to celebrate their evil deed,” Ishaya told the Baptist president.
Malan Maju, another member of the Baptist community, shared the heart-wrenching loss of his wife and son, revealing that the victims had been laid to rest in a mass burial.
Expressing profound dismay at the killings and the extensive destruction, the President criticized the persistently high level of insecurity in the country over the years, lamenting the absence of effective solutions from security agencies. Despite the somber incident, he urged the people to remain resilient and steadfast.
He said, “We, the Plateau Baptist Conference, are here on behalf of the Nigerian Baptist Conference as a whole to extend our heartfelt condolences on the unfortunate incident that happened to this community. We’ve informed the convention president and this incident has been broadcast hoping that the whole world will hear of it.”
“Our prayer is that since we’ve cried out our pains to the whole world, we hope that something will be done about it.”
“Even though we’ve lost a lot of people, God is still with us.”
Saleh appealed to the community, urging them not to seek retaliation for the attacks. He emphasized, “If we want to revenge ourselves, we can only judge those that have wronged us but we cannot recover what we’ve lost especially the dead but God has the power to bless the family. So, we should give God the chance to give out his reward. I’m pleading with us all.”
“All this can bring in confusion, sadness and blame amongst us which can cause division. This is the time for us to calm down, I’m pleading with us to calm down.
“As for the youth, this isn’t the right time for us to be intoxicated with drugs because it will not protect us. This is the time for us to listen to both our parents and the church so that we won’t die in vain. We will try our best to announce it to the whole world believing that help comes from God. May God help, protect and guide us.”