Nigerian Christians Killed on Palm Sunday for Practicing Their Faith

Recent Violence Against Christians in Nigeria

In the U.S., there’s generally a sense of safety for those who believe in Jesus; while there are differing opinions, the violence we see in other parts of the world is, thankfully, not as prevalent here. This stark contrast was tragically highlighted on Palm Sunday 2026.

In Jos, Nigeria, gunmen killed at least 12 individuals, and an enraged crowd took the lives of 10 more at a local bar around 8 p.m. Attacks targeting Christian communities have been on the rise in recent years, especially in the Middle Belt and northern regions leading up to Easter.

Plateau State’s bar and restaurant, situated in the Rukuba district of Angola, was caught by surprise when gunmen on bicycles began shooting both inside and outside. Reports suggest that in 2025, around 7,500 Christians lost their lives across Nigeria.

The exact identity of those responsible for this massacre remains uncertain. However, the International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that the death toll from recent shootings may be approaching 30. There are suspicions that the incident could be connected to the terrorist group Boko Haram, but this has yet to be verified.

Following the attack, Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Muftwang condemned the violence as “barbaric and baseless.” In addition to the casualties at the bar, the gunmen also targeted a wedding hall in Kahil village that same night, resulting in 13 additional deaths and several abductions around 11:47 p.m.

A report indicates that Nigeria now ranks fourth on the Global Terrorism Index, highlighting a stark rise in terrorism-related fatalities compared to 2025.