The Nigerian Baptist Convention’s Conference Presidents and their spouses have expressed deep concern over persistent attacks on Christian communities in Plateau State and other parts of Northern Nigeria, warning that the insecurity is undermining church growth and missionary work.
The leaders raised the alarm during a three-day annual retreat of the National Fellowship of Conference Presidents of the Nigerian Baptist Convention held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The retreat was hosted by the Plateau Baptist Conference.
They noted that repeated killings, forced displacement of worshippers, and destruction of church properties have severely affected evangelism and church planting efforts across affected communities.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Plateau Baptist Conference and Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State chapter, Rev. Dr. Kogleh Saleh, said churches in the state had endured over two decades of sustained violence targeting Christian communities.
He explained that the pattern of attacks, which has now shifted from urban centres to rural areas, has further worsened Baptist missionary activities, particularly church expansion.
According to him, several churches have been destroyed, abandoned, or forced to shut down after attacks on their host communities. He revealed that nine churches under the Mangu Central Baptist Association were affected, including Alheri Baptist Church, Washna, where both the church building and pastorium were completely destroyed.
He added that the entire Christian community in the area was displaced and dispossessed of its ancestral land, forcing the church to remain closed since 2022.
Rev. Saleh also listed other affected churches, including Alheri Baptist Church, Kwagaskippanlang; Farawa Baptist Church, Changal; and Shiloh Baptist Church, Kombili.
Despite the hardship, he commended church members for their resilience, noting that some displaced congregations continue to worship in temporary locations such as schools. He cited Alheri Baptist Church, Jwakmaitumbi, which holds services in a primary school after being displaced.
He also referenced Bethel Baptist Church, Kantoma, where worshippers continued gathering despite losing over 40 members, including their pastor, during an attack. Similarly, he noted that Baptist Church, Ancha, in Bassa Local Government Area, has suffered repeated attacks that claimed about 20 lives per incident.
Rev. Saleh said the recurring violence has left many communities deserted, with churches still operating under difficult and unsafe conditions.
He further disclosed that the insecurity has significantly reduced church income and increased financial pressure on Baptist conferences across Northern Nigeria.
Calling for urgent action, he urged the government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, stressing the need for more decisive security measures. He also advocated the establishment of state police as part of efforts to curb insecurity.
“The government must match its words with action. Security personnel who compromise their duties should be sanctioned, while communities should be empowered to protect themselves within the law,” he said.
The retreat brought together Baptist Conference Presidents and their wives from all 36 states of Nigeria and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, with participants discussing the theme, “Sustaining the Gospel Mandate in the Face of Existential Threats.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Fellowship of Conference Presidents, Rev. Dr. Richard Udoh King, said insecurity in Northern Nigeria affects all citizens regardless of location.
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, urged religious organisations to continue promoting honesty, integrity, and values that support national development.
