Prosper Okoye
The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged Christians in northern Nigeria to take proactive steps to defend themselves following a deadly attack in Jos that left more than 20 people dead.
The call comes after gunmen attacked the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Palm Sunday, killing and injuring several residents in an assault that has heightened fears ahead of Easter celebrations.
Nigeria’s military said it had placed troops on nationwide alert in response to the violence. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, told reporters in Abuja that security forces would maintain heightened vigilance to prevent further attacks during the holiday period.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBut Christian leaders say the repeated killings have eroded confidence in state protection. Joseph Hayab, who heads CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, said communities could no longer afford to remain passive in the face of persistent attacks.
“These killers are human beings,” Hayab said. “When our people organise themselves, a time will come when those chasing them will be chased back.”
He said Christians would not be intimidated into abandoning religious activities, particularly during major observances such as Easter, despite what he described as a pattern of attacks during festive periods.
While Hayab did not specify what form self-defence efforts might take, he said the group would not disclose its strategies, adding that communities must resist fear and remain resolute.
Security experts are divided over the call for self-protection.
Retired Brig. Gen. John Sura backed lawful self-defence, urging authorities to allow citizens to take minimal protective measures within the law. He also called for stronger community-based security systems, including vigilance groups, to complement overstretched security forces.
“The police and the military cannot be everywhere,” Sura said. “We must augment them with local structures and timely intelligence.”
However, retired Lt. Col. Abdulwahab Ademola warned against arming civilians, saying it could worsen insecurity. Instead, he advocated investment in early warning systems and community training to improve preparedness and response during attacks.
He said residents should be equipped with simple technologies to detect and report threats in real time, noting that attackers often operate without being intercepted.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria called for a thorough review of the country’s security strategy, describing the resurgence of violence as deeply troubling.
Its National Secretary, David Bakare, said the ability of attackers to strike within Jos city raised serious concerns about intelligence and the broader security architecture.
“There is a need to carefully investigate what is responsible for this return of insecurity,” Bakare said, urging authorities to go beyond deploying troops and address the root causes of the violence.
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Police said additional security personnel had been deployed to Plateau State to restore calm and track down those responsible for the attack. The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered a large-scale operation, including the deployment of a senior officer to coordinate efforts on the ground.
The latest violence underscores growing insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly come under attack despite ongoing military and police operations.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
