Alex Barbir, a missionary in Nigeria, said that the coordinated attacks in Nigeria are a sign that the country is currently at war.
Barbir became well-known in Nigeria for his work helping others, especially in Jos, Plateau State, where many were killed on Palm Sunday, according to The Guardian.
He said on News Central that “When I first got to Nigeria, I saw people being killed right by military checkpoints.” This was about a hamlet that was burned down and 60 people were slain.
Barbir then answered questions on why he was the first person to get to the scene of the Palm Sunday slaughter.
“Since I was in Nigeria, I can’t come here and not see killing.” People question, “How did I get to the scene in Jos so quickly?” It doesn’t take long to go when people are killed 10 minutes from your accommodation. “I could walk to the scene.”
When asked if he was scared of being killed when he was there, he answered, “I drove.” I wasn’t scared since I knew that Christians were there at that time. The Muslims who arrived slaughtered those individuals, who were innocent. The scene was still tense, but everything was quiet. I knew that 500 Christians were seated together. They would all be together if something happened.
Barbir also asked when Nigeria would realize that the terrorism it is facing is a war on the country and not just random crime.
He remarked, “It’s clear that the attacks are planned.” It’s not just killing one or two people. When you see Barkin Ladi and Bokkos in the villages, and when they invaded on Christmas Eve… If thousands of fighters assaulted all at once, they could have attacked many settlements at once. This isn’t simply random crime or someone deciding to take their gun, shotgun, or whatever it is and go to a hamlet to kill someone. People are fighting a war. If there isn’t a war in Nigeria, what’s going on?
“Your security troops are ubiquitous in every state. There are people being slain in every state, both Christians and Muslims. What else could that be but war? There is war in Nigeria right now. Don’t even think about Iran or the Middle East. There are enormous killings going on all over Nigeria right now, even in Kwara.
Three weeks ago, I went to Kwara to create Oworo Village. That’s why I came to Nigeria: to rebuild mostly for Muslims. The governor, the chairman, and the police all said no. They told you that it’s a little too dangerous for you right now. I haven’t heard from them yet. But we did go there. They slaughtered Muslims. They came at night and ruined everything. They even set off a bomb not too long ago.
“In Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, and all these other places, hundreds of fighters are coming in, killing people, burning villages, stealing, and taking control of everything.” How is that not working together?
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