Celebrating Governor Mutfwang’s visionary leadership three years on

By Kingsley Chukwuka

Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s tenure has been defined by a relentless commitment to purposeful governance, leading to a surge of accolades and a recent endorsement by the All Progressives Congress as its flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.

Since assuming office in 2023, the Governor has consistently garnered prestigious “Governor of the Year” awards across various platforms, reflecting the wide recognition of his innovative contributions to the development of Plateau State.

Observers and opinion polls consistently describe Governor Mutfwang as an authentic and exceptional leader whose approach is grounded in realism, optimism, and a deep commitment to empoweri…
[16:33, 04/06/2026] +234 803 773 9145: Insecurity Posing Threat to Church Growth – Baptist Leaders Warn Gov

By Kingsley Chukwuka

​The Nigerian Baptist Church have raised an urgent alarm over the persistent attacks targeting Christian communities in Plateau State and across Northern Nigeria.

They warned that the ongoing killings, mass displacement of worshippers, and widespread destruction of church infrastructures are severely crippling missionary activities and threatening the very survival and growth of Christianity in the region.

The Baptist leaders therefore called on governments at all levels to move beyond promises and take decisive action to end insecurity ravaging affected communities.

The remark was made at the end of 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.

Speaking during the retreat hosted by the Plateau Baptist Conference, the President of the Plateau Baptist Conference and Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State chapter, Rev. Dr. Kogleh Saleh, lamented that churches in the state had endured over two decades of violence and attacks targeted at Christian communities.

According to him, the recent pattern of attacks, which has shifted from urban centres to rural communities, has negatively affected Baptist missionary work, particularly church planting efforts.

“Like some other church denominations on the Plateau, the churches of the Plateau Baptist Conference have walked through the valley of affliction due to repeated religious violence and systemic attacks on Christian communities which have bedevilled the state for over two decades,” Saleh said.

READ ALSO: Governor Mutfwang urges Muslim to pray for peace as Ramadan Commences 

He disclosed that several churches had either been destroyed or forced to shut down due to attacks on their host communities.

Giving a breakdown, Saleh said nine churches in Mangu Central Baptist Association alone were affected, including Alheri Baptist Church, Washna, where both the church building and pastorium were completely destroyed.

“The entire Christian community has been forcefully dispossessed of their lands and displaced from their ancestral homes. Consequently, the church has remained closed since 2022,” he said.

He listed other affected churches as Alheri Baptist Church, Kwagaskippanlang; Farawa Baptist Church, Changal; and Shiloh Baptist Church, Kombili.

Despite the challenges, Saleh commended members of affected churches for their resilience and commitment to worship.

He particularly praised members of Alheri Baptist Church, Jwakmaitumbi, who continued worship in a primary school after being displaced from their community.

He also cited the case of Bethel Baptist Church, Kantoma, where members continued worship despite losing more than 40 members, including their pastor, the late Rev. Mangmos, during an attack on the community.

“The brethren did not fail in assembling themselves for worship while in the refugee camp until they returned to Kantoma,” he said.

Saleh further highlighted the experience of Baptist Church, Ancha, in Bassa Local Government Area, noting that the community had survived repeated attacks in which no fewer than 20 members were killed in each incident.

He said the Ancha church remains a clear example of resilience despite sustained violence, displacement and loss of lives in the area.

According to him, several churches remain operational in communities now largely abandoned by their original inhabitants due to insecurity.

On the economic implications of the attacks, Saleh said the crisis had significantly reduced church income and increased financial pressure on the conference.

He added that Baptists across Northern Nigeria continued to face security threats ranging from kidnappings, banditry and insurgency, largely due to their rural missionary presence.

Saleh urged government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, while advocating the establishment of state police as part of measures to address 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.

“We also look forward to the establishment of state police, which has remained one of the recurring promises by government,” he stated.

Speaking on the significance of the retreat, Saleh said the gathering brought together conference presidents and their wives from the 36 states of Nigeria and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

He noted that the theme of the retreat, ‘Sustaining the Gospel Mandate in the Face of Existential Threats,’ was particularly relevant given the security situation in Plateau State.

Also speaking, Chairman of the National Fellowship of Conference Presidents, Rev. Dr. Richard Udoh King, said insecurity in Northern Nigeria affects all Nigerians irrespective of location.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, urged religious organisations to promote honesty, integrity and national development.