Easter Amidst Anguish: As Christians Celebrate Resurrection, Grief Shadows Plateau and Benue

 

Easter Joy Dampened by Tragedy as Violence Erupts Again in Plateau, Benue States

As Christians worldwide marked Easter Sunday in joyful remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, communities across Nigeria's Plateau and Benue States were thrust into mourning, devastated by a fresh wave of deadly violence.

More than 100 residents were killed in the latest attacks that struck parts of Plateau State over the Easter weekend, shattering the spiritual sanctity of a season known for its themes of peace, rebirth, and hope. The bloodshed was largely concentrated in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas, where armed assailants believed to be marauding herders unleashed terror on unsuspecting communities.

This attack stands as the deadliest in Plateau since the tragic Christmas Eve massacre of 2023, when over 150 people lost their lives in coordinated assaults. The repetition of such tragedies has drawn deep concern and fierce criticism from various quarters, particularly over the government’s handling of security in the region.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, visibly shaken by the scale of the carnage, did not mince words. He labeled the attacks as “genocidal,” revealing that more than 60 communities have now fallen into the hands of land-grabbing militias wielding advanced weaponry. He condemned what he called an organized campaign to displace indigenous populations and take over ancestral lands under the guise of communal clashes.

In neighboring Benue State, the story reads no different. At least 56 lives were lost in a fresh surge of violence across Ukum and Logo local government areas. As in Plateau, the attackers are believed to be armed herdsmen, whose incursions into farming communities have continued to fan the flames of instability and fear.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, expressed frustration and called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and restore security. Thousands of residents have been displaced, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in overcrowded shelters or out in the open, as violence tightens its grip on the Middle Belt.

While churches across the country held Easter services, complete with hymns of victory and hope, the mood was subdued in many areas affected by violence. For victims' families, the spiritual symbolism of resurrection felt painfully distant from the reality on the ground.

President Tinubu, currently in Paris, France, issued an Easter message that sought to console grieving citizens while assuring them of his administration’s commitment to ending insecurity. He condemned the attacks in both Plateau and Benue, describing them as the acts of “forces of evil” that would not prevail over Nigeria.

“I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay,” the president declared, adding that efforts were underway to “reclaim peace and stability” in affected regions. Despite the solemnity of his message, many Nigerians are calling for more than words.

Among the loudest voices of dissent is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In a sharply worded statement on the eve of Easter, Atiku criticized the Tinubu-led government as “utterly incapable” of addressing the security crisis, accusing it of gross negligence and a lack of empathy.

“While the blood of innocent Nigerians is spilled with appalling regularity, this administration remains disturbingly indifferent,” he said, lamenting the president’s absence from the country during such a critical period.

Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also joined the call for urgent action. In a heartfelt message, he decried the incessant killings and emphasized the need for government collaboration with traditional leaders who are in close contact with the grassroots.

“I want to thank the Northern Traditional Rulers for their bold declaration on the deteriorating security situation. Enough is enough,” Obi wrote, stressing the importance of engaging communities directly to stem the tide of violence.

The latest wave of killings highlights a grim contradiction in Nigeria's Easter observance—while millions gather in churches to proclaim the message of life and victory over death, far too many citizens continue to face the reality of conflict, loss, and fear.

As the nation looks to its leaders for real, lasting solutions, a single truth echoes across Plateau, Benue, and beyond: peace cannot remain a seasonal prayer—it must become a national priority.