The President of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, Rev. Dachollom Datiri has warned that should the Boko Haram sect be allowed to establish a caliphate in Plateau State, the Nigerian Church will come under great risk, which will eventually lead to the collapse of Christianity in the region.
Speaking in an interview with Martyrs CRY, a newsletter of the Voice of the Christian Martyrs, the COCIN president stressed the need for Nigerian Christians to unite and intensify prayers as well as give generously to reinforce the Christians in the Middle Belt part of the country.
The cleric, who noted that the impact of Islamic fundamentalists on the church in the region was unquantifiable, lamented that the destruction caused is unbelievable.
According to him, “In Bauchi State, the Tafawa Balewa Area has been under constant attacks. Even after the elections, the congregations there were attacked. It is only the grace of God that is sustaining the brethren there. Coming to Plateau State, communities outside Jos are being attacked almost on a daily basis.
“I cannot tell you how many Regional Church Councils have been decimated in these attacks. All these are communities not far from Jos. The Muslims kill Christians and destroy their properties. The media report is usually that these communities have been attacked by unknown gunmen or by Fulani herdsmen. The underlying motive is to destroy the Church.
“Even in Nasarawa State, we have lost no less than five congregations. When you ask who is responsible for the destruction, security officers will claim they are unknown gunmen or Fulani herdsmen. Yet, in most instances, they come dressed in military uniform. Where did the Muslim insurgents obtain the military uniform that they wear when going to destroy churches?” the cleric asked.
Speaking about the implications of the attacks, the COCIN leader explained that his church was the predominant denomination in Plateau as well as in some parts of Bauchi state, maintaining that COCIN forms probably 70% to 80% of Christians on the Plateau.
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