COCIN President, Dr Mohzo Condemns Killings In Mangu And Looting In The Aftermath

Yakubu Busari

The President Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, Rev. Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo has condemned the heart-wrenching aftermath massacre including incinerated homes, torched food barns, rampant looting, and a mass exodus of people, resulting in burgeoning Internally Displaced People’s camps in Mangu and Bokkos. Regrettably, the facilities in these camps are woefully inadequate to meet the pressing needs of the victims.

A Press Statement by the COCIN President, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo Following Unprovoked Attacks on Innocent Christians in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in Jos he said; “In a chilling assault on the night of January 24, 2024, the peace-loving Christian community in Mangu Local Government Area fell victim to a reprehensible act of violence, leaving in its wake a trail of devastation. At the time of this report, the death toll has surged to a tragic 26, with the number rising steadily.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones, endured the destruction of their homes, and suffered immeasurable losses” he disclosed.

 The Church of Christ in Nations stands in mourning solidarity with its members affected by this senseless violence. To those in pain, may you find solace in God’s grace, and be rest assured that our prayers are fervently aligned with yours during this trying time.

In the face of this unconscionable assault on innocent lives, I earnestly call upon the government to fulfill its constitutional duty of providing security to its citizens.

The unprovoked genocide against Christians in Bokkos and Ropp areas in December and now Mangu demands swift and resolute action.

The government must intensify its efforts to protect its people, and security operatives are implored to restore order and prevent further atrocities.

The persistent killings on the Plateau have endured for far too long without decisive government intervention to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. We vehemently demand the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, ensuring that justice prevails and sending a resounding message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated.

In light of the staggering displacement of over 19,000 people in Bokkos and the fresh wave of displacement in Mangu, we urgently call upon the government and humanitarian agencies to provide immediate assistance. The plight of these displaced communities necessitates urgent intervention for their resettlement in their ancestral villages. Time is of the essence, and proactive measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of these vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, we implore the government to empower the affected communities to establish robust vigilante groups for self-defense, granting them access to necessary resources to protect themselves.

The unprovoked massacres within the confines of people’s homes cannot be tolerated, and the government must act decisively to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

We await a swift response from the government and the relevant authorities to end this nightmare and restore peace to the affected communities.