Nigerian Christians Massacred on Palm Sunday
“I will be attending mourning today,” said a local Nigerian Catholic from Jos State, where Holy Week was transformed into a week of mourning for Christians killed by Islamists on Palm Sunday.
On the evening of March 29, 2026, terrorists attacked the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State. Gunmen riding motorcycles shot an unspecified number of youths. “The attackers just rode past and started shooting sporadically. People were running in different directions,” said one resident. A humanitarian worker confirmed at least 10 dead, while another report placed the figure at 15.
Official figures have not been released, and no group has claimed responsibility. Accounts differ on the identity of the attackers, with one resident identifying them as Boko Haram and another describing them as Fulani militia who fired on residents before retreating toward nearby mountainous areas.
The Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area from midnight March 29 through April 1, 2026. Three suspects were arrested. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack and said the government is working with federal authorities.
However, local Christians are growing wary of the government’s empty promises as the massacres continue. In many attacks over the past year, residents notified police or military forces that either failed to arrive or were delayed until the killings had ended.
The Palm Sunday attack followed a series of attacks one week earlier in Kwara State. On March 22, armed men stormed the ECWA church in Omugo, Oro-Ago, during the morning worship service. Bible study had ended at 9:30 a.m., and the main service had begun when, at 10:10 a.m., eight hooded attackers were sighted approximately one kilometer away, shooting into the air and advancing on the church. The congregation of more than 60 fled in every direction.
Eight worshippers were abducted, including the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Remilekun Omole, along with Chief David Afolayan, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mr. Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi, Mrs. Rachel Omopariola, Mrs. Mosúnmọ́lá Afolayan, Mrs. Bukola Sunday, and Mrs. Anti. A 90-year-old blind woman, Rachel Ifabiyi, was beaten and left in the bush. Police arrived approximately 40 minutes later, despite the station being six kilometers away.