They rolled in with a convoy of three vehicles filled with food and household supplies, eager to connect with and comfort survivors huddled in various camps for internally displaced people in Bokkos. However, the sight of starving women and children with hunger-stricken faces they encountered left them heartbroken.

They are among the 50,000 survivors according to a local church leader who lost everything in terrorist attacks that spanned several days since Christmas Eve.

As of January 7, ongoing killings persist in a few remaining villages in the Bokkos area, 40 miles south of Jos, the capital of Plateau State. This further dashes the hopes of thousands seeking refuge in makeshift camps and safer towns and cities, hoping to return to their homes.

The attacks kicked off on the night of December 23 in the east of Bokkos, intensifying on the afternoon of December 24, resulting in the death of over 295 residents, according to local monitoring groups. More than 25 villages were destroyed in the attacks that continued through Christmas Day.

Global rights activists have labeled the attacks in three adjoining counties as the most gruesome in recent weeks.

“This is catastrophic and has created a huge humanitarian crisis beyond the capacity of the local communities, government, or state to handle alone,” said Mr. Bukam Moltok, leader of a group delivering aid to the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“Today, we are honored to present the following items for distribution to the displaced persons who are in dire need: 11 bags of rice, one bag of sugar, 10 cartons of noodles, two packs of toilet paper, 200 tubers of yam, 10 mattresses, eight packs of soap, as well as clothes and a cash donation of N300,000,” Moltok announced to the IDPs at a church premises in Bokkos town on January 6.

“We understand that these items may seem modest in the face of the immense hardship and challenges that many of you have had to endure,” Moltok acknowledged.

“It is our sincere hope that this assistance serves as a symbol of solidarity, compassion, and support during this difficult time,” he noted.

“Each item represents a gesture of care and a message of resilience in the face of adversity,” he stressed, acknowledging, “no amount of material aid can entirely erase the pain and suffering caused by the dastardly act that befell the communities.”

The leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bokkos, Rev. Ayuba Matawal, who led camp officials to receive the items, expressed appreciation to the team and appealed for increased security measures to facilitate the return of displaced villagers to their homes and livelihoods.

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Humanitarian Crisis from Christmas Eve Attacks Beyond Local Authorities: Charity Group