TD Bokkos LGA, Plateau State – Nigeria is mourning the heartbreaking death of David Raymond, a 13-year-old boy from Kawel village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Raymond succumbed to injuries sustained during a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of his parents and more than 20 other Christians.
The Attack
On a dark night in Kawel village, armed terrorists stormed the Raymond family home while they slept.
David’s father, Raymond Maichibi, tried to shield his son from gunfire but was shot and killed.
His mother, Nanlop Raymond, hid in the bedroom, praying for mercy, but was also gunned down.
David attempted to flee but was struck by bullets that tore through his back and stomach, leaving his intestines exposed.
He was rushed to hospital, where doctors fought for 18 days to save his life.
A Child’s Final Words
Before his death, David recounted the horror from his hospital bed in a video:
“They came in the night… My father tried to protect me and they shot him…
“My mother was hiding when they shot her too… I ran and they shot me in the back.”
His parents had already been buried in a mass grave alongside 20 other victims of the attack.
Family members withheld the devastating truth from David, hoping he would recover first.
But on July 12, his fight ended, and he joined his parents in eternity.
Voices of Grief
Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, who has been documenting the plight of persecuted Christians in Plateau State, shared the news with deep sorrow:
“We lost him. My heart is shattered beyond words.
“David was not a soldier. He was not a criminal.
“He was only a child whose only ‘offense’ was being born into a Christian family in Plateau State.”
He described David’s suffering as symbolic of the wider persecution faced by Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where villages have repeatedly been attacked by armed groups.
Broader Context
Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for sectarian violence, with communities targeted in night raids that leave dozens dead.
Human rights groups have documented patterns of attacks against Christian families, often carried out by heavily armed militias.
The killing of David Raymond underscores the vulnerability of children in conflict zones.
His story has sparked renewed calls for international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing crisis, where thousands have been displaced and countless families destroyed.
Calls for Action
Rev. Dachomo urged the global Church and international community not to remain silent:
“How many more children must die before the world listens?
“The silence of the world has become another weapon against us.
“David’s blood cries out from the ground. His story must not die with him.”
He appealed for prayers and solidarity:
“I plead with the Church around the world, do not stop praying for the persecuted Church in Nigeria.
“Stand with us while there is still someone left to save.”
David Raymond’s death is more than a personal tragedy—it is a symbol of the ongoing violence that continues to devastate communities in Plateau State and beyond.
His short life, marked by unimaginable suffering, has become a rallying cry for justice, compassion, and global awareness.
As Rev. Dachomo concluded: “Rest in peace, precious child. Your suffering is over. Your crown awaits you.”
