Our Churches Are Under Siege': Baptist Leaders Raise Alarm Over Relentless Attacks on Plateau Christians, Demand Urgent Government Action

Our Churches Are Under Siege': Baptist Leaders Raise Alarm Over Relentless Attacks on Plateau Christians, Demand Urgent Government Action

 Christian leaders under the Nigerian Baptist Convention have raised fresh concerns over what they describe as sustained attacks on churches and Christian communities across Plateau State and other parts of Northern Nigeria, warning that the violence is threatening the survival of many rural congregations and undermining decades of missionary work.

The alarm was sounded during the three-day annual retreat of the National Fellowship of Conference Presidents of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, which concluded in Jos, Plateau State. The gathering brought together Baptist leaders and their spouses from across Nigeria and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to deliberate on the security challenges confronting Christians and pray for national peace.

Speaking during the retreat held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, the President of the Plateau Baptist Conference and Vice-Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State, Rev. Koeleh Saleh, painted a grim picture of the humanitarian and spiritual crisis facing churches in the state.

According to him, Christian communities have endured more than two decades of recurring violence, resulting in the deaths of thousands of worshippers, the displacement of families, and the destruction of church buildings and other properties.

He lamented that what began as attacks concentrated in urban centres has now shifted to rural communities, where many Baptist churches are located, making it increasingly difficult for the denomination to carry out its evangelism and church-planting mission.

"Like many other Christian denominations on the Plateau, our churches have walked through years of pain and suffering caused by repeated attacks on Christian communities. Entire villages have been destroyed, people have been killed, and countless families have been displaced," Saleh stated.

He explained that the changing pattern of violence has dealt a major blow to Baptist missionary activities, particularly in remote areas where the denomination has traditionally maintained a strong presence.

"As a denomination renowned for rural church planting, the latest wave of attacks targeting rural Christian communities has significantly affected our mission efforts and disrupted the spread of the Gospel in many areas," he added.

Rev. Saleh revealed that at least nine Baptist churches within the Mangu Central Baptist Association alone have been directly affected by violent attacks.

One of the most devastating cases, he noted, is Alheri Baptist Church in Washna, where both the church building and pastor's residence were destroyed during an attack that forced residents to flee their ancestral homes.

According to him, the church has remained shut since 2022 because the entire Christian population of the area was displaced and has yet to return.

He also listed several other affected congregations, including Alheri Baptist Church in Kwagaskippanlang, Farawa Baptist Church in Changal, and Shiloh Baptist Church in Kombili, all of which suffered destruction and displacement due to recurring violence.

Despite these tragedies, Saleh praised the courage and unwavering faith demonstrated by church members who have continued to worship even after losing relatives, homes, and places of worship.

He recounted how members of Alheri Baptist Church in Jwakmaitumbi continued gathering for Sunday worship in a primary school after being forced to flee to Mangu town.

"Their determination to continue serving God despite unimaginable losses remains an inspiration to the entire Baptist family," he said.

The Baptist leader also highlighted the experience of members of Bethel Baptist Church in Kantoma, who continued worshipping in a displacement camp after their community was attacked and more than 40 church members, including their pastor, the late Rev. Mangmos, lost their lives.

According to him, the congregation remained united in worship despite losing virtually everything they owned.

"Even after their community was completely destroyed, they never stopped gathering to worship until they were eventually able to return to their homeland," he said.

Saleh further disclosed that Baptist Church Ancha in Bassa Local Government Area has been attacked on four separate occasions.

"In each attack, we buried not fewer than twenty church members. Yet those who survived have remained steadfast in their faith," he said.

He also mentioned several churches that continue to operate in communities that have been largely deserted following repeated attacks. These include Salama Baptist Church in Exland, First Baptist Church in Gana Ropp, Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bwit, and Makidoniya Baptist Church in Nding Jok.

"Many of these communities were once thriving Christian settlements. Today, most people are afraid to visit them. The continued existence of these churches is a testament to the resilience and commitment of the few believers who remain behind," he noted.

Beyond the human cost, Saleh disclosed that the insecurity has severely weakened the financial strength of the Plateau Baptist Conference.

He explained that the denomination's cooperative funding system has been disrupted as many churches that once contributed financially are now struggling to survive.

"Several churches that used to support conference activities have become dependent on assistance from the conference itself. In some cases, the conference now helps to pay pastors' salaries because local congregations can no longer sustain themselves," he revealed.

The cleric described Northern Nigeria as the epicentre of multiple security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, and communal violence, stressing that Baptist churches are particularly vulnerable because of their widespread presence in rural communities.

Saleh called on federal and state governments to move beyond promises and take decisive action to end the violence.

He urged authorities to identify and punish security personnel found to be negligent or complicit in security breaches, while also advocating for the establishment of state police to improve community-based security responses.

"The government must match its words with action. Those responsible for protecting lives and property must be held accountable whenever they fail in their duties. We also believe state policing will help communities respond more effectively to local security threats," he stated.

Chairman of the National Fellowship of Conference Presidents, Rev. Richard Udoh King, said the security crisis in Northern Nigeria should not be viewed as a regional issue because its consequences affect the entire country.

"What happens in the North affects every Nigerian. We all have relatives, friends, business associates, and loved ones living in these areas. We continue to pray that God grants our leaders and security agencies the wisdom and courage needed to overcome these challenges," he said.

Similarly, President of the FCT Baptist Conference, Rev. Dogara Michael, described the retreat as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and leadership development.

He expressed hope that participants would return to their various conferences strengthened and inspired to continue serving despite growing challenges.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, emphasized the critical role religious organizations play in nation-building.

He urged churches and other faith-based institutions to continue promoting integrity, accountability, and moral values among young people.

"I hold the Baptist Convention in very high esteem. Religious organizations have a vital role to play in shaping society. Without integrity and honesty, no nation can make meaningful progress. We must continue teaching our youths the right values and praying for those in leadership positions," he said.

The retreat, attended by Baptist conference presidents and their spouses from all 36 states of Nigeria and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, was held under the theme, "Sustaining the Gospel Mandate in the Face of Existential Threats."

Participants offered prayers for peace, security, and national unity while calling for urgent action to protect vulnerable communities and restore confidence among citizens living in conflict-affected areas.

For many attendees, the message was clear: the survival of countless rural Christian communities depends not only on faith and resilience but also on decisive government intervention to end years of bloodshed, displacement, and destruction.