“Militants Killed 7 of My Brothers, 150 Members, Burnt Down My Church” — Plateau Pastor

A pastor in Plateau State has recounted the devastating loss his community suffered during a violent attack by Fulani militants. Rev. Yakubu Mutong, of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Maiyanga village, Bokkos local government area, revealed that seven of his brothers were killed, his house was burned down, and over 150 church members were slaughtered in the coordinated assault.

The attacks, which took place on the night of December 24, 2024, affected Maiyanga and 10 other neighboring villages. According to Rev. Mutong, the militants destroyed homes, churches, food supplies, and personal property, leaving the communities in chaos.

Speaking about the tragedy, Rev. Mutong said the Christmas period, usually a time of celebration, turned into a mournful period for the affected villages. “It was supposed to be Christmas, but for us, there was nothing to celebrate,” he said. “Everything in this village has been destroyed, but we thank God that some of us are still alive. Personally, I have lost seven of my brothers to this crisis.”

Standing in front of the charred remains of his home, Rev. Mutong described the destruction of his house, the nearby church, and the pastorium, highlighting the scale of the devastation.