Christian leaders plan protest over Plateau killings

Christian leaders in Plateau State are planning a protest over the unabated killings in the state, The PUNCH learnt.

In the early hours of Monday, gunmen reportedly killed over 30 villagers in Bassa communities.

Also, last week, over 50 people were killed in several attacks launched by gunmen in various communities in Bokkos Local Government Area.

A member of the planning committee and President of the Gideon and Funmi Peace Foundation, Dr. Gideon ParaMallam, confirmed the planned protest.

He said the protest, dubbed the “2nd Peace Walk Against Continuous Killings,” aims to demand an end to the senseless attacks and cry out for justice.

The Christian leader said, “Yes, the protest walk will be held on Monday, April 21st, 2025 (Easter Monday), and the time for it is 9:00 am prompt. The Church on the Plateau, under the leadership of the Church Denominational Leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Plateau State chapter, calls on all Christians to arise once again in unity, grief, and righteous protest.

“Between March 27th and April 2nd, 2025, nearly 80 innocent lives were brutally cut short in Bokkos Local Government Area. This does not include Bassa LGA and other parts of Nigeria. As a mark of honour for the dead and a cry for justice, the Church is organizing a 2nd Peace Walk to demand an end to these senseless, unprovoked, and continuous attacks in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria.

“We must not be silent. We must not allow their blood to cry out unheard. We invite every Christian on the Plateau to come out en masse for this solemn but powerful procession, all dressed in black. We will gather at the PRTV Roundabout Junction in Jos, and our destination will be the  New Government House, Little Rayfield, where the protesters will lay their collective grief before President Ahmed Bola Tinubu through the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister  Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

“The protest is a call for peace, justice, and security for every life on the Plateau and across Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, is organising the protest, urging all Christians to arise in unity, grief, and righteous protest. We have asked all Christians to wear black to church on Easter Sunday, 20th, and during the Peace Walk on Monday, 21st. Black, Red and White Clothes. These three Colors represent a visible symbol of our mourning (Black), Red (End the killings and (White) Peaceful resistance to impunity.”