As Rep. Chris Smith Speaks at Truth-telling Event in Washington
By Masara Kim in Jos and Douglas Burton in Washington, D.C.
(Jos) At least 14 Christians have been killed in an ongoing shooting 45 miles south of Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria, according to TruthNigeria.
This attack was launched shortly after a press conference hosted by the Iowa-based nonprofit Equipping the Persecuted Initiative in Washington, DC, aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria. The event, held at 10 a.m. Washington time on Thursday, July 24th, was created by Equipping the Persecuted founder Judd Saul, who premiered a gripping documentary giving detail about the preventable Yelewata massacre of more than 260 unarmed people on June 13.
End the Code of Silence: Congressman
“There has been a code of silence from the media about the genocide in Nigeria and it has got to end,” Rep. Chris Smith, New Jersey Republican, told the press attendees.
Smith demanded that the State Department restore “Country of Particular Concern” on the nation of Nigeria and strong economic sanctions. Smith, who took the lead on designating the Boko Haram insurgency as a “foreign terrorist organization” at the onset of Nigeria’s civil war in 2013 also called for the same label for the Fulani ethnic militia that annually kills more than six times as many citizens as Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) combined.
Other speakers included War Correspondent Lara Logan, Benue State native Franc Utoo, who lost 37 relatives in the Yelewata atrocity on June 13-14, and Stephen Enada, co-founder of the International Committee on Nigeria.
The conference concluded with a 28-minute documentary on the escalating violence in the Middle Belt region. The film explained in detail the complicity of the Nigerian Army in the Yelewata attack. Viewers of the film included a local Nigerian pastor, Bishop John Pedro, who heads Faith Clinic Church International in Hyattsville, MD, and several members of his family.
Bloody Massacre in Bokkos
As the conference ended, gunfire erupted in a Christian town near Jos, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals.
Locals and military officials reported to TruthNigeria that terrorists, shouting “Allahu Akbar,” attacked several villages known as Mangor in Bokkos county, starting at 6 p.m. local time and indiscriminately shooting at residents.
“We are currently on the ground trying to control the situation,” said Army Colonel Dauda Magems in Bokkos. “Just pray for us; we are not backing down,” he added, noting fierce clashes with the attackers in the village of Chirang.
By 6:20 p.m. local time, additional groups of attackers were reportedly approaching from neighboring areas to overwhelm the army garrison, according to local resident Labista Gagzi.
“They are coming from Gawarza and Mile 7 towards our area,” a distressed Gagzi informed TruthNigeria via telephone. “I am currently trapped in a nearby village where I had taken women and children for safety. They have taken over the roads, and I can’t return to rescue the remaining members of my family.” He confirmed that 14 people had been killed since the violence began.
Gagzi detailed that the assailants initially ambushed a vehicle returning from a nearby market, killing 14 and injuring at least three before attacking the community.
Bishop Ayuba Matawal, a respected church leader in Bokkos, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post: “A tragic incident occurred today when a vehicle carrying passengers from Bokkos market to Chirang village in Mangor, Bokkos Local Government Area was attacked, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and three critically injured. The victims are predominantly from Chirang village, which previously suffered over 20 brutal deaths during a Christmas Eve attack in 2023. Most of those killed are women and children. When will this senseless violence come to an end?”
A press release from the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) denounced the ongoing genocidal attacks in Plateau State that Gov. Caleb Mutfwang called out two weeks ago after 27 persons were massacred in the town of Bindi in Plateau State.
“The Forum is profoundly shocked and saddened by an ambush attack that claimed the lives of at least 14 of our members on Thursday, July 24th,” stated Barr. Farmasum Fuddang Chairman, BCDF Vanguard and Amb. Duwam Bosco Secretary, BCDF Vanguard.
“The scene of the violence has been the site of repeated assaults, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities, including over 60 deaths during the brutal Christmas Eve attack two years ago,” the officials stated.
“As of 2 hours ago, residents have reported sightings large crowds of armed terrorists marching in the direction of the affected villages, with the military confirming ongoing shootout with the terrorists. The latest attack, which occurred near Chirang village of the Mangor district in the Bokkos Local Government Area, follows an earlier incident two days prior that resulted in the death of a young man in the same vicinity.
“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. For now, we mourn our fallen members and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying for God’s comfort and the repose of their souls,” according to the release.
“Victims included women and little babies. This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts by those who deny the realities of genocide and benefit from the distortion of the issues at hand,” according to the tribal officials.
“The facts are clear: this attack, along with ongoing village burnings and takeovers in the Mushere area, is orchestrated by terrorists identifying as members of the Fulani ethnicity. Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognized as the potato headquarters of Nigeria. This is part of an initial step towards seizing the entire state, with over 150 native villages across central and northern Plateau, so far forcibly occupied.
“We unequivocally state that this attack serves as a stark reminder that our adversaries remain active and relentless. We are fully aware of our constitutional rights and will utilize them to the fullest,” the authors stated.
Masara Kim is a native of Bokkos County and serves as senior editor of TruthNigeria. Douglas Burton is the managing editor of TruthNigeria.
