Taraba CAN Chairman Decries Easter Violence, Calls for Unity

Jalingo, April 5, 2026 – The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba State, Very Rev. Fr. Williams Peter Awoshiri, has issued a passionate Easter condemnation of the escalating violence ravaging Southern Taraba, particularly in Takum and Donga Local Government Areas, where fresh clashes have left communities reeling.

In a statement released today – coinciding with Easter Sunday celebrations – Awoshiri described the bloodshed as “tragic and unacceptable,” linking it directly to recent farmer-herder disputes that intensified last week. Reports from local sources indicate at least 12 fatalities since March 28, with armed groups clashing over grazing routes and farmland, displacing over 5,000 residents into makeshift camps around Jalingo and Zing (Vanguard, April 4, 2026). Property worth millions has been razed, exacerbating food insecurity in an already volatile region.

“Easter is not merely a seasonal celebration but a profound spiritual reality that defines our faith,” Awoshiri stated. “It reassures us that despair is never the end and that, in Christ, victory is certain – a message we desperately need amid this darkness.”

The cleric urged Taraba’s diverse residents – cutting across ethnic lines like the Chamba, Jukun, and Fulani – to shun retaliation and embrace dialogue, justice, and mutual respect. “Our diversity should not divide us but enrich our collective existence,” he emphasized, calling for an immediate halt to aggression in line with God’s call for peace.

Awoshiri expressed deep sorrow over the “continuous shedding of innocent blood,” which he said stifles development and contradicts divine will. Recent incidents, including a April 2 ambush in Donga that killed three farmers (Premium Times), underscore the urgency, as insecurity hampers farming ahead of the rainy season.

While praising Governor Agbu Kefas’s deployment of additional security forces and the role of local vigilantes, the CAN leader demanded more proactive measures, such as community mediation forums and federal support. He also rallied Nigerians to aid over 2,000 IDPs in registered camps, appealing for food, clothing, and medical aid amid reports of malnutrition risks (Daily Trust, April 3, 2026).

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To victims and grieving families, Awoshiri offered prayers and solidarity: “Even in these trials, Easter reminds us hope endures. Taraba shall rise above its challenges toward peace, healing, and progress.”

As Christians mark Christ’s resurrection today, Awoshiri’s message doubles as a statewide call for reconciliation, praying for stability across Nigeria.