Matthew Tegha, Jos — Rayfield
Churches and Christian faithful in Plateau State staged a massive peaceful protest on Easter Monday to condemn the recent spate of killings in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas. The peace march, which began at the PRTV Roundabout in Rayfield, culminated at the Plateau State Government House in Little Rayfield, where Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, received the demonstrators. Also present were federal and state legislators, members of the executive council, and other government officials.
This marks the second peace walk organized by the Church on the Plateau under the joint leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, and the Denominational Leaders Forum. The protesters, dressed in black, red, and white—symbolizing mourning, a call to end the killings, and peaceful resistance—marched in honor of the victims and demanded justice and immediate government intervention.
A joint statement was presented by Rev. Amos Mohzo, President of COCIN and Chairman of the Denominational Leaders Forum, and co-signed by CAN Chairman Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo and Revd. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam. The statement addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR decried the “unprovoked, horrific, and persistent attacks” on communities in Bokkos and Mangu, which have left over 50 people dead in recent weeks.
“These are not communal clashes but calculated, premeditated acts of terror,” the church leaders declared, alleging that the perpetrators—suspected armed Fulani herdsmen—have targeted innocent Christians in coordinated attacks, mostly at night. They criticized federal security responses and called for more decisive action.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s earlier condemnation of the attacks, the church leaders expressed disappointment over what they described as a misrepresentation of the Bassa killings in official statements. “We reject the narrative of retaliatory clashes; these are acts of terror, and the truth must not be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience,” they said.
The statement also documented several recent attacks:
- April 1: Pastor James Amusa was beaten and thrown into a well; 38 others were later killed in coordinated assaults on several communities.
- March 27: Armed men opened fire on mourners in Ruwi, killing several.
- March 7 & January 9: Several villagers, including Rev. Danjuma Lekuk, were killed in targeted attacks.
In Bassa’s Irigwe land alone, between January and April 14, at least 71 people were reported killed in 19 separate attacks. One of the deadliest occurred near a military barracks, where attackers killed 51 people in just 45 minutes without security intervention.
In their demands, the church leaders called on the Federal Government to:
- Strengthen state security infrastructure.
- Establish and equip community policing outposts.
- Conduct thorough investigations into the attacks.
- Provide humanitarian relief to affected communities.
- Rebuild destroyed infrastructure and resettle displaced persons.
- Address the root causes of violence.
- Protect religious and traditional leaders.
- Secure critical transportation routes.
- Foster national solidarity against terrorism.
- Seek international cooperation in ending terrorism financing.
They urged all Nigerians to stand in unity against impunity and systemic violence, warning that the ongoing crisis on the Plateau is part of a broader threat to national peace.
“The continued killings are not just a Plateau problem. It is a Nigerian problem,” the leaders stressed. “We walk today not just for the victims in Bokkos and Bassa, but for the soul of Nigeria.”
In his response the Plateau State Governor vowed to pursue justice for victims of recent violent attacks in the state, declaring that Plateau shall be restored and freed from the grip of insecurity and darkness that has plagued it for nearly two decades.
While appreciating the efforts of Christian leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for standing up and refusing to remain silent in the face of ongoing bloodshed. He emphasized that the time has come for every Nigerian with a conscience to rise and say “enough is enough.”
He affirmed that the government has kept records of every attack and killing, and unlike in the past, those arrested in connection with the recent violence will not go scot-free.
The governor revealed ongoing consultations with President Bola Tinubu and heads of security agencies to develop new strategies for protecting communities. He urged citizens not to allow pain and bitterness to erode their values, stressing that Plateau people are inherently peaceful but will also rise to defend the defenseless when necessary.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to peace, justice, and development, he called on the youth to reject drug abuse and illegal mining, revealing that more lives were lost to mining accidents than some violent attacks, yet these often go unreported.
He assured the people of Plateau that better days lie ahead, with plans to empower youths through organized and lawful mineral exploration. He concluded with a declaration of hope and unity, urging continued prayers and cooperation from citizens: “Plateau shall be free, Plateau shall prosper.”
The procession concluded with prayers, songs, and a renewed call for peace, justice, and security across the country.