Nigeria - Christians Endure Sustained Attacks as Fears of Terrorist Takeover Grow

Source: ICC 

In the heart of Nigeria’s Plateau State lies the county of Bokkos—a once-thriving region of Christian farming communities now gripped by fear and devastation. Over the past few months, this peaceful land has become a battleground. Armed militants, emerging from forested camps along the Plateau–Nasarawa border, have launched a relentless campaign of terror. Their goal appears chillingly clear: to drive out the local population and claim the fertile land for themselves.

It began with whispers—rumors of raids in nearby villages. Then came the bloodshed. In April, the village of Hurti in Manguna district witnessed one of the deadliest massacres in recent memory: over 50 lives lost in a single day. Since then, the violence has only escalated. More than 100 Christians have been killed in four months. Homes and churches lie in ruins. Crops, just days from harvest, have been torched or stolen. Entire villages—Dimar, Hokk, Margif, Kopmur, Nina, Ikgngwaghap, and Fokholdep—now stand abandoned.

The attackers strike swiftly and vanish before security forces arrive. Civilian defense groups, made up of local volunteers, are stretched beyond their limits. Despite the presence of military personnel, protection remains elusive. The people of Bokkos are not just fighting for survival—they’re fighting for their homeland, their faith, and their future.

The Bokkos Cultural Development Forum has sounded the alarm. They warn that if Bokkos falls, militants will gain a strategic corridor between Nigeria’s northwest and northeast, bypassing military operations and spreading deeper into Plateau State. The Forum has called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang and federal authorities to dismantle militant camps, support displaced families, and establish a joint civilian task force to bolster security.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Families are sheltering in schools and churches. Children are out of school. Food and medical supplies are scarce. The trauma of displacement and loss weighs heavily on every soul.

And yet, amid the ashes, hope flickers. The people of Bokkos remain determined to defend their homes. Their resilience is a quiet defiance against the darkness.

🙏 Prayer Requests for Bokkos, Nigeria

• Pray for protection over the remaining villagers and civilian defense groups.

• Ask God to comfort grieving families and heal the wounded—physically and emotionally.

• Intercede for displaced families, that they may find shelter, food, and restoration.

• Pray for wisdom and courage for Nigerian leaders to take decisive action.

• Lift up the children who have lost homes and schools, that they may find safety and peace.

• Pray for the dismantling of militant camps and the restoration of stolen lands.

• Ask for international awareness and support to bring lasting peace to Plateau State.