Rev Yakubu Mutong, a Church of Christ in Nations pastor in Mangu LGA in Plateau state, which was also attacked on December 24, described how 14 people in his community were killed that night as properties were burned down.
He said many residents had since fled to the cities for safety as they no longer had homes or food and sadly many of the desperate young people had fallen into drug addiction, alcoholism and prostitution.
‘As a result there is no longer any worship in these villages,’ he reflected.
He said what had started as a land grab had erupted into a religious crisis. Why else had churches been burned and pastors killed. However, he hoped that one day, given adequate support and security, villagers would be able to return home.
Although the attacks had affected the faith of some believers, Yakubu himself has been encouraged.
‘Pray for people to be able to really forgive… Pray that we will have peace again.’
‘Some of the things I have been preaching about have now happened to me. My house was burnt, my brothers and sisters were killed. I lost about seven people from my family. But it strengthens my faith to know that if God is by your side regardless of all the tribulations, He will stand by you and I am more encouraged and in faith than ever before.’ Having said that, he is concerned that the attacks are getting worse and asked Christians in the UK to pray that believers in affected areas would be able to stand firm in their faith.
‘This crisis has affected the faith of many. People who used to worship God, people who used to evangelise and do a lot for God, today they are no more… Many of them have fallen back to worldliness.’
He added: ‘Pray also for people to be able to really forgive because, if things like this happen, if you don’t forgive there will be no peace. Pray that we will have peace again.’
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