Plateau, Middle Belt Attacks Aimed at Depopulating Christian Communities, Says Association

A Diaspora group, under the auspices of the Plateau State Association, USA, Inc. (PSA-USA), has said that the killings in their state and Middle Belt are intentional and coordinated plans to depopulate and dispossess Christian communities from their ancestral homes.

The National President of PSA-USA, Dr Barth Shepkong, stated this on Thursday in a press release made available to LEADERSHIP.

The press release is titled: “Statement on Christian Persecution, Genocide, and the Ongoing War of Occupation in Plateau State and the Middle Belt.”

“The Plateau State Association USA (PSA-USA) issues this firm and urgent statement regarding the ongoing Christian persecution, genocidal violence, and coordinated war of occupation devastating Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt of Nigeria,” Dr Shepkong said.

According to him, communities in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Kanam, and other affected areas are facing organised killings, systematic displacement, seizure of farmlands, and the deliberate destruction of homes and livelihoods.

“These atrocities are intentional, coordinated, and aimed at depopulating and dispossessing Christian communities from their ancestral lands.

“This is not communal violence; it is a sustained and ruthless campaign,” he added.

The national president, who restated that what is happening is genocide, driven by targeted Christian persecution and enforced through a war of occupation, said the entire communities are being erased with deliberate precision.

“PSA-USA asserts that this crisis persists largely due to a dangerous failure of political will to confront perpetrators, dismantle violent networks, and provide adequate protection for vulnerable populations.

“Silence in the face of mass killings is complicity, and any peace built on denial or political convenience is both false and unsustainable, “he said.

Shepkong, therefore, called for immediate action, which includes investigation, arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators and sponsors of the crime without political interference.

He urged the Federal Government to provide urgent humanitarian relief to internally displaced families, reform security architecture and establish credible community protection mechanisms.

He also urged the government to rebuild destroyed communities and ensure the safe and dignified return of displaced persons.

Shepkong, equally, urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the United States and international partners to strengthen justice mechanisms and expand humanitarian assistance.

“Through the R64 Diaspora Campaign Fund, PSA-USA continues to support internally displaced persons and assist with community rehabilitation across all 17 LGAs and 64 wards of Plateau State.

“PSA-USA stands unwavering in its commitment to justice and human dignity,” he said.

According to him, we are not appealing for pity.

“We are demanding justice. We are demanding accountability.

“We are demanding the restoration of peace and the right of our people to live safely on their ancestral land,” the national president concluded.