A Plateau State-based cleric, Pastor Damian, has raised concerns over an alleged plot by terrorists to launch fresh attacks on Christian communities across the state during the Christmas period.
The cleric made the allegation in a video shared on social media on Tuesday, claiming that intelligence reports indicated that terrorists and Islamic extremists were planning coordinated attacks on several Christian communities before the end of the year.
According to him, the alleged plot involves targeting Christian communities during the Christmas celebrations, with the aim of killing residents and displacing indigenous populations.
Pastor Damian further alleged that the attackers had been holding secret meetings and raising substantial funds to procure weapons and other logistics for the planned attacks.
He linked the alleged threat to the December 2023 attacks on communities in Plateau State, during which more than 100 people were reportedly killed.
“We have heard this before. In Barkin Ladi, the rumour went round: ‘You will run with your rice and meat in your pots.’ We went to the Sector Commander and told him. And it came to pass. Just like December 2023.
“And this year is not an exception. We are hearing the same rumour again – that we will not live to enjoy our Christmas,” Pastor Damian said.
He alleged that the attackers were planning to carry out coordinated assaults on vulnerable communities, displace residents, seize their ancestral lands and establish an Islamic caliphate in the state.
“Every day in Plateau State, we wake up to a killing or killings. Christians are being killed by terrorists who want to grab our land and impose a caliphate. Christmas in Plateau is under threat. They have told us in clear terms that we will not live to witness this 2026 Christmas,” he said.
The cleric also claimed that Christians had been killed in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas over the past two months, accusing the government of failing to adequately protect residents.
He further alleged that youths engaged in mining activities had been attacked and killed by armed groups, adding that some communities had been displaced.
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“Some youths engaging in mining activities have been attacked and killed by Fulani militias. The youths came for greener pasture – mining to survive. They were sitting in front of their compound after a hard day’s work when gunmen came and shot them for no reason,” he said.
Damian described the recurring attacks as part of an alleged land-grabbing campaign, claiming that several villages and settlements had been taken over by armed groups.
He also questioned the security response to the attacks, noting that Nigeria had the military and police to protect vulnerable communities.
“We are peace-loving people. We want peace. But how can there be peace when innocent boys with energy to transform Nigeria are killed in front of their own homes?
“Pray for Plateau. Speak for Plateau. The persecution of Christians in Plateau must end,” he added.
