Easter M@ss@cres in Nigeria: K!ll!ngs, abduction and chaos across the states
While many of you were busy celebrating, eating rice, and enjoying the Easter holiday with family, a very different reality was unfolding in parts of Nigeria, one marked by violence, fear, and loss.
Just days after the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos that reportedly left at least 30 Christians dead, violence hit several communities across central Nigeria during Easter weekend.
In Benue State, tragedy struck again. In the Mbalom community of Gwer East, gunmen reportedly stormed the area before sunrise on Easter Sunday. Residents said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately and set houses ablaze. At least 17 people were confirmed dead, though locals feared the number could rise as more bodies were discovered during search efforts. Survivors fled into nearby bushes, hiding for safety.
This isn’t the first time Mbalom has seen such horror. Back in 2018, the same community witnessed a brutal church attack that claimed the lives of worshippers, including Catholic priests.
Violence wasn’t limited to just one location in the area. In Ikpayongo, also within Gwer East and not far from Makurdi, another deadly incident occurred. A local youth leader was killed, and some residents claimed the attackers may have had help from someone familiar with the community.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, Easter celebrations turned into chaos. In Ariko, located in Kachia Local Government Area, armed men reportedly invaded during early morning church services. Witnesses said they first attacked an ECWA church before moving on to a nearby Catholic congregation.
At least 12 people were killed in that single attack. Locals described how the gunmen surrounded the area, making escape nearly impossible. Several worshippers were also taken captive, although reports later indicated that security forces were able to rescue 31 abducted individuals.
Other parts of southern Kaduna also experienced violence. In Kajuru LGA, at least three people were killed in Maro Kasuwa, alongside reports of kidnappings. Across multiple affected communities in the region, the death toll during Easter services was said to have reached at least 15.
Tension also grew in Kagarko, where residents reported spotting armed groups lurking in nearby bushes, raising fears that more attacks could follow.
The violence spread further into Nasarawa State. In the Udege area, at least 10 people lost their lives, and several homes were destroyed across villages like Gidan-Ogiri, Akyewa Baka, and Udege-Kasa.
Across all these incidents, a similar pattern emerged. Witnesses described attackers arriving in large numbers, often on motorcycles or on foot, and operating for long periods before any security response arrived.
As of now, authorities have yet to release a confirmed overall death toll, and official responses are still awaited. Community leaders, however, are already calling for urgent action, especially improved security presence and faster intervention in vulnerable rural areas.
It’s a painful reminder that while some celebrate, others are fighting for their lives. We are yet to find out why these attacks are happening on Easter.
Do you think it's a religious war?
