Deadly Palm Sunday Attack Leaves 51 Dead in Plateau State, Nigeria
A deadly attack struck the Bassa community of Plateau State, Nigeria, in the early hours of Palm Sunday, April 14, 2025, leaving at least 51 people dead, dozens wounded, and entire villages in mourning. The assault, carried out by suspected armed herdsmen, has been widely described as a massacre of Christians, with children among the victims and many homes set ablaze.
A Night of Terror
Residents report that more than 100 armed men invaded the villages of Zike and Kimakpa around 1 a.m., unleashing gunfire and torching homes as families slept. Community leader Wakili Tongwe described returning to find 36 bodies, with others succumbing to their injuries later in the day. The attack lasted nearly two hours, leaving a trail of devastation and forcing nearly 1,000 people to flee their homes.
Eyewitnesses and local officials confirm that the victims included women and children, many of whom were burned alive in their homes. Mass burials were held as grief and outrage swept through the community.
Pattern of Violence
This massacre is the latest in a series of brutal attacks targeting Christian communities in Plateau State, a region long plagued by violence between agriculturalists and pastoralist groups. The attack comes less than two weeks after similar assaults in the Bokkos Local Government Area, where at least 52 people were killed and thousands displaced.
Since the end of March, Fulani militants have attacked at least eight communities in the area, destroying more than 300 homes and leaving over 3,000 people homeless. The violence has become so frequent that, as Tongwe laments, "We are tired of burying our people every other week. The government must do more than deploy troops after the damage is done".
Government and Community Response
President Bola Tinubu expressed "profound sorrow" over the killings and ordered security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. "We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough," Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need to address the underlying causes of the violence.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attacks as "organised and genocidal," insisting that entire communities have been taken over and renamed by assailants. He has called for a renewed commitment to ending the violence and restoring peace.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, visited the region and assured residents that more security personnel and resources would be deployed. He acknowledged the attackers were exploiting gaps in security coverage but promised, "We will work tirelessly until these issues are resolved. These criminal elements will soon be outnumbered".
Calls for Action and Justice
Former Governor Jonah Jang and other leaders have criticized attempts to label the violence as mere "communal disputes," insisting it is part of a targeted campaign by known groups. Jang called on the federal government to recognize the true nature of the crisis and convene urgent meetings with community leaders to develop a comprehensive response.
Amnesty International and local youth organizations have condemned the "inexcusable security lapses" that allowed the attack to occur, demanding urgent action to protect vulnerable communities and hold those responsible accountable.
A Community in Mourning
As Plateau State reels from the latest tragedy, the sense of fear and loss is palpable. Schools and churches remain closed, and many families are too afraid to return to their homes. The attacks have left deep scars, with survivors struggling to rebuild their lives amid ongoing insecurity.
“No community should endure such suffering, violence, and devastation,” said Albert Garba Samuel of the Jere Nation Youths Development Association. The people of Plateau State continue to call for justice, protection, and a lasting solution to the cycle of violence that has plagued their region for years.