As over two billion professing Christians celebrate the symbolic resurrection of Jesus Christ over 2000 years after which signified his victory over death, it’s a measured Easter Sunday for millions of Nigerian faithful as a gale of grisly killings pockmark Plateau and Benue states, both in the Middle Belt area of the country.

According to official data, over 100 residents were killed by bloodthirsty marauders who unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State. The death toll in the April 2025 attacks was the highest casualty figure in the spate of killings recorded in the state after daredevil criminals killed about 150 residents in Bokkos on Christmas Eve in 2023.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the fresh killing of his people by sophisticated-weapon-carrying marauders as genocidal, stating that over 60 communities have been taken over by the land-grabbing criminals.

In neighbouring Benue, the situation was not anyway different as suspected herdsmen wreaked havoc on local communities, killing scores and displacing thousands of residents.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has since appealed to the Bola Tinubu presidency to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state rose to 56 on Saturday.

Easter, preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance, is a season of love, peace and joy. As it is, many churches in Nigeria join others across the globe to celebrate Easter.

Evil Forces Won’t Prevail — Tinubu

In his Easter message, President Bola Tinubu who is away in Paris, France, condemned the killings in Benue and Plateau, saying that the forces of evil won’t prevail over Nigeria.

He said, “I heartily felicitate Christians in Nigeria and worldwide as they commemorate Easter, the celebration of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection—the cornerstone of the Christian faith.”

“The recent tragic incidents and the loss of lives in some parts of our country deeply saddened me. I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused. Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable. Forces of evil will never prevail over our country.

“I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability,” he said. (Channels TV)