While over two billion Christians around the world marked Easter—a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his triumph over death—millions of Nigerians faced a somber reality as fresh waves of violence swept through Plateau and Benue states, leaving over 150 people dead.
Unrelenting Bloodshed in Plateau
In Plateau State, armed assailants unleashed terror on Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, killing over 100 residents in a brutal wave of attacks. The assaults mark one of the deadliest in recent memory, with the casualty count surpassing even the Christmas Eve 2023 massacre in which approximately 150 villagers were killed in Bokkos.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, responding to the latest carnage, decried the attacks as genocidal. He revealed that more than 60 communities in the state have been forcefully taken over by heavily armed criminal elements, accusing them of land grabbing and ethnic cleansing.
Benue Under Siege
In Benue State, a similar tragedy unfolded as suspected armed herdsmen carried out coordinated attacks on multiple communities in the Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas. By Saturday, the confirmed death toll had risen to 56, with thousands displaced from their homes.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, visibly frustrated by the worsening security situation, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action against the recurring violence and restore safety to the affected regions.
Tinubu Condemns Killings from Paris
President Bola Tinubu, currently on a visit to Paris, France, addressed the nation in his Easter message. While condemning the tragic loss of lives in Plateau and Benue, the President reaffirmed his commitment to defeating insecurity.
“I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused,” Tinubu said. “Let me assure you that my administration remains firmly resolved to restore peace and security across Nigeria. The forces of evil will never prevail over our country.”
He disclosed that he had given direct orders to the Armed Forces and other relevant security agencies to act decisively and swiftly to halt the violence, assuring citizens that significant progress was being made in restoring stability through the efforts of Nigeria’s security forces.
Opposition Voices Criticism
Former Vice President and PDP leader Atiku Abubakar lambasted the Tinubu administration, accusing it of gross incompetence and indifference in the face of Nigeria’s growing security crisis.
“The senseless killings in places like Logo and Gbagir in Benue State continue with horrifying regularity,” Atiku said. “Yet the presidency shows no urgency and no empathy. Governance by absenteeism has become the norm, as the President continues his foreign escapades.”
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also expressed outrage over the killings. Commending the Northern Traditional Rulers for declaring a security emergency in the region, Obi said, “Enough is enough. We must urgently tackle the persistent violence plaguing our communities.”
He urged the federal and state governments to collaborate more closely with traditional institutions and community leaders to restore peace.
Akpabio, Tajudeen Call for Unity and Peace
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his Easter message, appealed for national unity, urging Nigerians to rise above ethnic, political, and religious divisions to work together for peace and progress.
He also called on criminal elements to abandon violence and respect the sanctity of human life. “Easter is a time of love and redemption. Let its spirit inspire even those who have gone astray to embrace peace and turn from evil,” he said.
House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen echoed similar sentiments, urging citizens to embody Christ’s teachings and show compassion toward one another. “While it is the government’s duty to secure the lives of citizens, we must also be our brother’s keeper,” he said.
Police Intensify Security Measures
To ensure safety during the Easter season, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun directed all State Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General to strengthen intelligence gathering and heighten security visibility across the country.
The police emphasized increased patrols and strategic deployments to places of worship, public venues, and highways. In a statement issued by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP also appealed to the public to support security efforts by sharing credible, timely information that will help the police.
