Nigeria: Fear masks Easter celebrations in Jos after deadly attack

Christians in the central Nigerian city of Jos marked Easter Sunday on April 5th under heightened fear, one week after a gun attack that killed around 30 people, as reported by Africa News via AFP on April 6th.

The violence has cast a shadow over what is typically the most significant day in the Christian calendar.

Attendance at churches across the city was noticeably low, with one large church near the site of the March 29th attack, less than half full. A dusk-to-dawn curfew, running from 3:00 pm to 7:00 am, left streets largely deserted, reflecting the tense atmosphere.

Security has been reinforced following the attack, with the Nigerian military deploying an additional 850 troops to Plateau state. However, residents remain unconvinced that these measures are sufficient.

Worshippers described a lingering sense of insecurity, with some saying fear kept many people at home.

“I don’t feel safe in the community, because the government is not doing enough,” said one attendee outside a local church, echoing a sentiment widely shared among congregants. Others noted the visible decline in attendance, attributing it to anxiety over further violence.

Churches, which have been targeted by armed groups previously, have introduced their own precautions, including private security checks for attendees, while police maintained a limited presence in affected areas.

Security was also tightened for Muslim worshippers conducting Friday prayers, as authorities sought to prevent further unrest.

Religious leaders used the occasion to call for vigilance and unity. A local reverend urged worshippers to remain both spiritually and physically alert, while Muslim leaders emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence in their sermons.

Although Plateau state has experienced recurring violence linked to land disputes and sectarian tensions, attacks in urban areas like Jos are relatively uncommon.

The city, home to both Christian and Muslim communities, has historically seen periods of peaceful coexistence punctuated by outbreaks of deadly conflict.

Recent years have underscored the region’s volatility. Nearly 200 people were killed in attacks on predominantly Christian communities during Christmas 2023, while sectarian riots in 2001 claimed around 1,000 lives.

Africa News via AFP, Maghrebi.org