6/9/2025 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — In Nigeria’s Plateau state, a region long marked by sectarian and communal tensions, violence continues to disrupt life for thousands of rural residents.

From the Christian farming communities of Bassa to the hilly terrain of Bokkos and the settlements of Mangu and Riyom, the pattern remains the same — homes abandoned, lives lost, and growing frustration with the lack of state and federal protection.

On Tuesday, June 3, three men were killed near the Government Secondary School in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area.

Community leaders identified the victims as Sunday Ishaya, 37; Joshua Mishi, 51; and Range Kpeh, 32. The three were ambushed while returning from their work at 9 p.m. The attack occurred about a quarter of a mile from a Nigerian military drone base, Truth Nigeria reported. According to eyewitnesses, no security personnel arrived after the incident.

In the hours that followed, dozens of local women marched to a nearby army checkpoint. They held leaves in the air — a local symbol of mourning — and sang songs of grief. Many of them were widows.

“We’ve buried over 473 husbands,” said Mary Dick Pharma, a leader among Irigwe women. “The army is doing nothing.”
The women held leaves, chanting “We had husbands! We are not numbers!”

The killings are part of a wider pattern of attacks across Plateau state. According to Hon. Dr. Joshua Riti, chair of Bassa LGA, the deaths reflect a deeper problem between security forces and the people they are supposed to protect.

“You can’t have such attacks happen near a military facility and see no reaction,” he said. “It sends a dangerous signal.”

Riti estimates that nearly 1,000 people have been killed in Bassa and surrounding areas between January and early June.

The violence is not confined to Bassa. In Bokkos LGA, more than 200 residents have died in 2025 alone. In late May, nine people were killed in the Mushere area, including a church leader. In Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs, attacks have emptied entire villages. Fields have been torched, churches reduced to rubble, and families separated.

In Miango, the Rev. Yakubu Ngwe of ECWA Church described the toll the attacks have taken on his congregation.

“The army has failed us,” he said. “Let them go. We want mobile police or community-led security.”

In some cases, community resistance has made a difference. On May 30, in Kpachudu village, attackers opened fire during a church gathering. Youths returned fire, and one of the attackers was killed. It was one of the few occasions when residents managed to repel an attack.

“They mocked us and told us to call on Jesus,” a resident said. “But our youth stood their ground.”

Local leaders say more communities are resorting to self-defense where formal security is absent. Riti confirmed that plans are underway to strengthen vigilante groups and revive local forest guards.

The Irigwe Development Association (IDA) issued a statement condemning the June 3 attack in Kwall. Sam Jugo, the group’s publicity secretary, described it as “devastating,” urging residents to stay vigilant while calling for justice.

Between 2001 and 2023, community records show that at least 236 Irigwe villages were attacked. Jebbu Miango alone has been targeted 186 times; Kpachudu has seen 140 attacks. The year 2021 recorded the highest number of casualties and displacements.

One of the deadliest attacks in recent history occurred on April 14, in Zikke village, where 54 people were killed in one night.
Despite the ongoing presence of Operation Safe Haven, a joint military initiative intended to stabilize Plateau and other central states, attacks continue to occur near checkpoints, military bases, and patrol routes.

In an interview, the Reverend Iliya Iza’ita of First Baptist Church in Kwall recounted the June 3 killings. He said they occurred between 8 and 9 p.m., a time when farmers usually return home.

“This is not new,” he said. “We have lived with this kind of violence for over 20 years.”

He confirmed that all three victims were known in the community — one a father, the others young men trying to make a living from the land.

“The government has failed them. But even with these challenges, we will continue to preach the gospel,” he said. “People will continue to repent.”

Churches in Plateau state have taken on new roles beyond spiritual care. They now serve as food distribution points, trauma counseling centers, and hubs for organizing community responses. In villages like Kwall, Jebbu Miango, and Gana-Ropp, church buildings are often where displaced families gather, seeking shelter and support.

In a message shared with Christian communities, Bible translator Martha Solomon Tinat wrote: “May our people in Rigwe land and Bokkos know this truth in this trying time.” She referenced Exodus 3:7, quoting God’s words to Moses: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out and I am concerned about their suffering.”

She also cited Psalm 90, attributed to Moses: “Even though our best years are filled with pain, God’s unfailing love is with us to the end of our lives.”

According to the Christian Rights Observatory in Nigeria, Plateau state recorded more than 420 attacks between 2021 and 2024. These attacks resulted in more than 3,000 deaths and displaced tens of thousands of residents. Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu are among the worst-affected LGAs.

Fear of nighttime violence has forced many families to sleep in the bush, away from their homes. Some have moved into informal displacement camps in Jos and neighboring Bauchi state.

In response to the continued violence, Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect lives. The organization urges authorities to investigate attacks thoroughly and ensure accountability for all perpetrators, including members of security forces when applicable.

As of early June, no arrests have been confirmed for the June 3 killings in Kwall. The military authorities stationed nearby have not released any public statement.

With no end in sight, residents of Plateau’s rural communities continue to ask the same question: How many more Christians will be killed before they are safe in their own homes?

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email press@persecution.org.