Pastor has recounted how Fulani Militants killed his seven brothers and150 church members in Plateau.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Yakubu Mutong, has shared a harrowing account of how Fulani militants attacked his community, Maiyanga village, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing over 150 people, including seven of his brothers, and razing homes, churches, and farmlands.
Narrating the ordeal in a heart-wrenching video message, Rev. Mutong said the coordinated assault occurred on December 24, 2024, a night that turned what should have been a joyous Christmas celebration into a massacre.
“My name is Rev. Yakubu Mutong. I am a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN. This is my village, Maiyanga, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,” he began.
According to him, the attackers invaded Maiyanga and 10 neighbouring villages simultaneously, killing residents, setting houses ablaze, and destroying food supplies.
“More than 11 villages were affected, and Maiyanga happened to be one of them. The killings, the maiming, the burning of houses, properties, and foodstuffs — everything was destroyed,” he recounted.
Rev. Mutong said the death toll from the December 24th attack alone exceeded 150 people, all brutally slaughtered within hours.
“It was supposed to be a Christmas celebration, but for us, there was nothing to celebrate. It became a mournful Christmas,” he said tearfully.
Standing before the ruins of his burnt home, the pastor lamented the total destruction of his village.
“As you can see, I am standing in front of my house that was burnt down by the militants. I lost everything — food, furniture, clothes — everything,” he said.
“Even the church nearby was burnt, including the pastorium. Everything here is in ruins. Personally, I lost seven of my brothers in this crisis.”
Despite the devastation, Rev. Mutong expressed gratitude for life and faith that the survivors would rebuild.
“Everything in this village has been destroyed, but we thank God that some of us are still alive,” he said.
The Maiyanga massacre is one of several attacks that have plagued communities across Plateau State, where persistent violence between herders and farming communities continues to claim lives despite repeated government assurances of peace.