At least 33 killed in Easter attacks in Nigeria

 

Churches in northern Nigeria are having to spend increasing money on security, because of the fear of violence 

At least 33 people have been killed and many kidnapped in fresh attacks over the Easter weekend in northern Nigeria. It comes a week after at least 27 people were killed on Palm Sunday in a predominantly Christian village in Plateau State.

On Easter Sunday, suspected Fulani militants launched simultaneous attacks on the Christian communities of Mbalom and Mbasombo, in Benue State, killing 26 people. It transformed a day of celebration, peace and reflection into mourning and displacement.

On the same day, two churches in Ariko village, Kaduna State, were attacked. Seven people were killed and multiple people were kidnapped, according to Caleb ⁠Maaji, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for Kaduna State, although other reports say the death toll is five. The army reports that 31 people have since been rescued, but this has been denied by CAN as well as Kurtumi Unity Development Association, a local resident group.

On Monday, two people keeping watch on their community in Pwomol village, Plateau State, were killed in an attack by armed Fulani militants. Another person was seriously injured. One of the attackers, identified as Suleiman, was later arrested and remains in custody.

The attacks happened just days after at least 27 people were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on people in the streets of Angwan Rukuba, a mostly Christian community in the city of Jos.

Since then, tensions in Jos have remained high as alarming, unverified videos suggested more violence could be triggered. The city is a major hub for several church headquarters and regional offices in Nigeria, making it a strategic place for Christians.

“Jos is a city divided along a religious line – one side predominantly Christians and the other predominantly Muslims. In the north are Christian neighbourhoods and next to it are Muslims,” says Illia Djiadi, Senior Analyst for Freedom of Religion or Belief in sub-Saharan Africa for Open Doors. He adds that, when tensions are high, people cannot cross to another region.

While many services were able to take place during Holy Week, it was in the context of a curfew that was put in place following the Palm Sunday attacks. Restriction of movement and a climate of fear are affecting the church’s ability to function properly, and are having a significant impact on Christian communities. Many churches are having to spend increasing amounts of money on security forces, because of the escalation of violence.

Christians weren’t the only ones vulnerable to attack in Nigeria over Easter. In Zamfara State, bandits kidnapped more than 150 people from rural villages which are not Christian-majority. Most are women and children. Other residents fled, leaving villages largely deserted.