Christians from across Plateau State gathered on Easter Monday for a solemn protest in Jos, the state capital, following deadly attacks in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas. The recent violence, which left nearly 100 people dead and several homes destroyed, has left the people shaken and searching for answers.
The protest, led by the Church Leaders Denominational Forum on the Plateau, drew participants from various Christian denominations. Many wore black clothing to symbolize mourning as they walked in silence from the old government house in Rayfield to the new government house in Little Rayfield.
At the government house, the group submitted a protest letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The letter was handed over through the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang. The document carried the signatures of notable church figures, including Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, the President of COCIN and Chairman of the Forum; Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State; and Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, who also heads the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation.
The letter reads in part: “The Church Denominational Leaders Forum on the Plateau strongly condemns the unprovoked, horrific, barbaric, and persistent attacks on innocent communities in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.”
It added: “We protest these renewed killings as a mark of honour for the dead, a call to end all killings by armed men and other killers operating in all states in Nigeria, and to cry out for justice.”
The letter also noted President Tinubu’s earlier condemnation of the attacks, which he issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, on April 5, 2025. The President promised to bring those responsible to justice and to protect lives and property across Plateau.
Governor Mutfwang, while addressing the demonstrators, thanked them for keeping the protest peaceful. He said the killings have dragged on for too long. “The time has come when every Nigerian and every human being of conscience must rise up and say enough is enough to the killings which is almost two decades now,” he said.
He further noted that he is actively working with the Federal Government to end the bloodshed and restore peace in affected communities.
