Plateau Bloodshed: Lagos Archbishop Slams Government Failure as Killings Escalate, Demands Urgent National Security Overhaul!

Plateau Bloodshed: Lagos Archbishop Slams Government Failure as Killings Escalate, Demands Urgent National Security Overhaul!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria — The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, has issued a stark rebuke of the federal government’s handling of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, particularly in Plateau State, where recent massacres have reignited fears of unchecked violence and widening mistrust between communities and authorities.

In his 2026 Easter message, released this weekend amid a backdrop of intensified attacks across multiple states, Archbishop Martins expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives in Plateau’s latest incidents, including the Palm Sunday massacre in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos North Local Government Area. The archbishop described the killing of scores of civilians including young people and families as both “tragic and condemnable,” and highlighted the inability of security agencies to prevent recurrent outbreaks of violence despite repeated assurances from the government.

The powerful statement from one of Nigeria’s most senior religious leaders comes as civil society groups, human rights organisations, and opposition parties intensify pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate concrete action in reining in violent actors and restoring confidence in state protection mechanisms.

A Nation in Mourning

The latest chapter in Plateau’s long-standing security challenges unfolded on March 29, 2026, when assailants on motorcycles opened fire indiscriminately on residents in the bustling Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North, killing at least 28 people and injuring several others. Survivors recounted scenes of terror as gunmen some reportedly clad in military-style attire shot at houses and fleeing civilians, turning a day meant for spiritual reflection into one of bloodshed and fear.

In the aftermath of the killings, Plateau State authorities imposed a 48-hour curfew on parts of Jos, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the “heinous and evil” act, pledging to pursue the perpetrators and provide support to victims’ families. However, subsequent attacks in Jos South occurring within days of presidential consolation visits have underscored the persistence of insecurity and raised questions about the effectiveness of current countermeasures.

Archbishop’s Rebuke: Moral Authority Meets Political Reality

Archbishop Martins’ pronouncement was unequivocal in its critique. While grounding his Easter message in a theological call for resilience and faith in God, he did not shy away from chastising political leaders for what he described as a “woeful failure” to protect citizens’ lives and property. He urged Nigerians not to allow the fear of violence to erode their spiritual resolve, yet his admonition was as much a clarion call for justice and accountability as it was a pastoral message.

“The persistent threats to our security from rural communities plagued by banditry to urban centres grappling with instability have sown seeds of fear and anxiety,” the Archbishop said, emphasising that security should be prioritised over political calculation and self-interest.

He furthermore criticised the government’s economic stewardship, linking the hardship wrought by skyrocketing fuel prices in spite of Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer with broader governance failures that compound citizens’ suffering. His commentary reflected a broader narrative of disillusionment among Nigerians who have seen promises of security and prosperity fall short.

A Broader Cry for Accountability

The Archbishop’s censure resonates with other civil society voices. Amnesty International, in a recent statement, echoed concern over the government’s inability to prevent attacks in Plateau, citing systemic lapses in security responses and the devastating human toll of repeated ambushes on vulnerable communities. The rights organisation pressed for thorough investigations into the Angwan Rukuba massacre and called for independent inquiry and accountability mechanisms.

Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has publicly urged federal authorities to “protect lives or step aside,” asserting that the government has a non-negotiable responsibility to safeguard citizens against violence. This sentiment has emerged as a powerful refrain among both religious and secular civil society entities, amplifying demands for decisive action.

Political opposition voices have also weighed in, with parties such as the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) pointing to Plateau’s recent bloodshed as evidence of broader governance failure at the national level. Critics argue that without meaningful reforms both in security strategy and political accountability the cycle of violence could further entrench instability and erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Government Response: Symbolism and Skepticism

In response to the outbreak of violence, President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State, meeting with victims’ families at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos to offer condolences and assurances. The federal government justified the choice of venue by citing logistical constraints and flight restrictions. The presidency also announced plans to deploy additional surveillance infrastructure and security personnel, as well as to establish committees to assess losses and recommend support measures.

However, critics have characterised the visit as symbolic and insufficient, arguing that political presence without substantive changes to security operations and strategy fails to address the root causes of recurring violence. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar notably branded the approach as “deeply troubling,” saying the president’s engagement did not meaningfully connect with the communities most affected by the tragedy.

Plateau’s Enduring Crisis: A Historical Pattern

Plateau State’s recent carnage is not an isolated aberration; rather, it reflects a long-standing pattern of communal tension, reprisal attacks, and fragile state presence that has afflicted the region for decades. Historical analyses and inquiry reports many commissioned by successive governments have documented cycles of violence, displacement, and failed policy responses, with thousands killed and hundreds of communities abandoned over the last twenty years. The persistence of these cycles underscores the complexity of Plateau’s security landscape and the challenge facing policymakers.

Looking Forward: Leadership, Security, and the Social Compact

Archbishop Martins used the occasion of Easter a feast commemorating resurrection and hope to implore Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process, especially as elections loom on the national calendar. He called on citizens to elect leaders who embody integrity, sincerity, and a genuine fear of God leaders capable of rising above partisan interests to place citizens’ welfare and safety at the forefront of governance.

The Archbishop’s message, while rooted in faith, intersects with pressing public discourse on governance, human rights, and the social contract between the state and its people. His appeal adds moral weight to a growing demand for structural reforms, enhanced accountability, and a reimagined security architecture that protects all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or faith.

As Nigeria mourns the recent victims in Plateau and across other states affected by insecurity, the challenges ahead are substantial and complex. Yet the Archbishop’s voice amplified by civil society and rights organisations highlights a crucial imperative: that human life and dignity must remain central to national priorities, and that failure to uphold this principle would be a disservice to the nation’s collective conscience and future.

Sources:
The Nation, “Martins calls for trust in God, condemns insecurity in Nigeria”;

Channels Television,
“Easter: End Terror Reign On Nigerians, Archbishop Martins Tells Political Leaders”;

Nigeria Info FM, “Lagos Catholic Archbishop Calls on Government to Secure Lives in 2026 Easter Message”;

The Sun Nigeria, “Plateau killings: Govt has failed Nigerians – Archbishop Martins”;