The Easter weekend in Nigeria was marred by brutal massacres that have once again exposed the deep-rooted violence plaguing Africa’s most populous nation. West Africa‘s largest country continues to grapple with relentless violence, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing tens of thousands.

On April 4—Holy Saturday—the violence escalated dramatically. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, head of the Kontagora diocese covering parts of Niger and Kebbi states, shared chilling accounts of the attacks. Armed assailants, believed to be cattle herders, launched coordinated raids from the Borgu Game Reserve in Niger State. Travelling over 100 km on more than 50 motorcycles, the attackers moved through villages with apparent impunity, as Nigerian security forces failed to intervene.

The assaults targeted multiple locations, including Debe village and nearby urban areas like Kelkemi, Binua, and Kaura in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State. All affected zones fall under the Kontagora diocese. Bishop Yohanna reported that “the Catholic church and the catechist’s home in Debe were completely destroyed. The catechist, his wife, and family narrowly escaped death, while the Pentecostal pastor of the Redeemer Church in Debe was brutally murdered.” A mosque was also demolished during the attack.

The rise of criminal factions

Determining the exact death toll remains challenging, as “the attackers remained in Debe for two days, preventing the burial of victims,” the bishop explained. Based on missing persons reports, at least 24 individuals are feared dead. Approximately 500 people are currently taking refuge in the Yauri parish across the Niger River and elsewhere in the diocese. The violence has indiscriminately affected Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional religions alike.

Bishop Yohanna attributes the surge in violence to “Fulani herders attempting to seize land through force,” a phenomenon that has intensified since July 2025. He noted that over 10,000 km² of territory in the Borgu deanery—west of the Niger River and bordering Benin—is now under the control of armed gangs rather than Nigerian authorities. “With the exception of military and police presence in villages like Babana, Papiri, and Agwara, the entire region is lawless,” he lamented.

A population gripped by terror

Fear has gripped local communities, with residents fearing for their lives even when attending church services. Easter celebrations were significantly scaled down, with many faithful unable to participate. In four parishes within the diocese, priests have fled due to threats of violence or kidnapping. Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference has consistently condemned the violence and urged the government to restore public order. However, Bishop Yohanna admitted that the Church’s influence is limited: “We cannot bring peace alone. The unrest is driven by bandits who answer to shadowy figures—there is no one to negotiate with. The population is at the mercy of merciless criminals, while authorities react instead of taking proactive measures.“

Nigeria’s spiralling crisis

Calling for urgent international intervention, Bishop Yohanna urged foreign missions to visit the affected regions to witness the devastation firsthand. “The global media plays a critical role in exposing these atrocities,” he stressed. “Nigeria is on the brink of collapse: those who can are fleeing the country.”