Dozens Feared Killed As Terrorists Attack Benue
Not less than 30 people were killed in coordinated attacks by armed groups on Easter Sunday across parts of Benue and Kaduna states amid intensifying concerns over security failures under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The surge in deadly violence during the Easter period occurred with 34 people reportedly killed in communities in Benue and Southern Kaduna.
Some of the victims included worshippers and residents who were attacked during religious observances.
In Benue State, at least 17 people were killed in Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area, while in Kaduna State, no fewer than 15 others lost their lives in multiple village attacks, including assaults on churches during Easter services.
Eyewitnesses described coordinated raids by heavily armed assailants who targeted congregations and residential areas.
The Easter Sunday violence capped a broader wave of killings recorded during the Holy Week period, from March 28 to April 4, during which at least 102 people were reported dead across several northern states, including Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna.
According to a new report released by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, the casualties are victims of attacks, as well as individuals who reportedly died in captivity after being abducted.
The report noted that roughly one in 10 abducted victims does not survive, citing deaths linked to torture, starvation, untreated injuries, and other conditions.
The report outlines a series of incidents leading up to Easter: “On March 28, at least 13 people were killed in a roadside bombing along the Pulka-Ngoshe road in Borno State.
“On March 30, 21 people were killed in Kautikari, Chibok area. On March 29 (Palm Sunday), multiple attacks in Kaduna and Plateau states left dozens dead, including wedding guests and residents in village communities.
“Additional killings and abductions were recorded in Nasarawa and Plateau states in the days leading up to Easter.
“On Easter Sunday itself, attackers reportedly stormed villages in Kachia and Kajuru areas of Kaduna State, targeting churches including ECWA and Catholic congregations.”
Several people were killed on-site, while others were abducted; some were later rescued by security forces.
The report sharply criticises the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government, alleging inadequate response and accusing state actors of failing to curb the violence.
It also claims that official narratives attributing the crisis to farmer-herder clashes or climate-related conflicts do not fully reflect the nature of the attacks.
Authorities have not formally responded to the latest figures, but Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly stated that efforts are ongoing to combat insurgency and banditry across affected regions.
Beyond the immediate death toll, the report highlights a growing humanitarian crisis, with thousands displaced by ongoing violence.
It points to internally displaced persons (IDPs) from northern regions, including Borno, Kaduna, and Zamfara states, many of whom have fled repeated attacks.
Particular attention was drawn to a humanitarian centre in Edo State, run by a Christian organisation, Home for the Needy Foundation
The Home for the Needy Foundation reportedly shelters over 4500 displaced persons, including children and families affected by insurgency.
The report also raised concerns about tens of thousands of displaced persons from Gwoza in Borno State, including those who have fled to neighbouring Cameroon or remain in vulnerable border communities.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law called for increased national and international attention to the crisis, urging governments, humanitarian organisations, and donors to support displaced populations and strengthen protections for vulnerable communities.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity in multiple regions, the latest incidents underscore persistent challenges facing the country’s security architecture, particularly during major religious observances.
