JOS, Nigeria — Outraged by a fresh wave of deadly
attacks, hundreds of Plateau State residents marched through the streets of Jos
on Monday to protest ongoing violence in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government
Areas.
Clad in black, red, and white—the symbolic colors of
mourning, resistance, and peace—protesters were led by religious leaders under
the Church Leaders Denominations Forum, including representatives of the Church
of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The peaceful protest was sparked by recent assaults
reportedly carried out by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, which left over 100
people dead, according to community sources. The demonstrators marched from the
Old Government House to the New Government House in Little Rayfield, where they
were received by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Governor Pledges Security and Support
Addressing the crowd, Governor Mutfwang condemned the
attacks and vowed that his administration would do everything possible to
protect residents.
“You will return to your farms, but this time, not
alone,” he said. “You’ll go in groups—with some farming while others provide
watch. We won’t surrender an inch of Plateau land to violence.”
The governor urged young people to remain vigilant and
peaceful, encouraging religious leaders to persist in prayer and community
support. He stressed that the attackers are not invisible.
“These assailants are not ghosts. They are known, and
they must be resisted and brought to justice,” Mutfwang declared. “Let us
unite, leave behind division, and stand as one people.”
Church Leaders Speak Out
Rev. Amos Mohzo, President of COCIN and Chair of the
Church Leaders Forum, denounced the attacks as “horrific and barbaric,” stating
that they are a “shameful mark on our national conscience.” He called on President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to end the bloodshed.
“More than 50 lives were lost in Bokkos alone, many of
them women and children,” Mohzo said. “These killings are a gross violation of
human rights and an assault on the dignity of our communities.”
He added that the protest was both a memorial for
victims and a call for justice.
“Black symbolizes mourning, red calls for an end to
the bloodshed, and white reflects our peaceful but firm resistance to
injustice.”
Call for National Action
The Church Leaders Forum urged the federal government
to conduct a thorough investigation into what they described as a pattern of
targeted violence, warning that inaction could lead to the further spread of
such attacks across the country.
“We must confront hate with love, fear with courage,
and division with unity,” Rev. Mohzo stated. “Our leaders must rise to the
challenge and defend the lives of all Nigerians.”
As tension simmers in the affected areas, the protest
stands as both a solemn tribute to the victims and a bold demand for change in
the face of escalating violence.
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