Zike Worship Restored: Music Returns After Tragic Palm Sunday Attack | Plateau State Healing

By Mike Odeh James

In Zike village, Plateau State, Nigeria the sound of music has returned months after Fulani Muslim militia killed 54 Christians and destroyed a local church’s instruments during a Palm Sunday attack. Thanks to the support of U.S.-based humanitarians, Kauna Baptist Church has received a new Yamaha P-225B keyboard and accessories, restoring not just music but hope.

The donation—facilitated by the Cuban Music Federation (CMF) and Widows & Orphans —was personally delivered by Barr. Emmanuel Ogebe of the US Nigeria Law Group in Washington.
Rev. Dr William Devlin, CEO of Widows & Orphans and international human rights lawyer Ogebe’s compassion and effort have brought global solidarity to a hurting community after the duo visited Zike twice since the gruesome April attack.

Pastor Matthew Ishaku had appealed for help after the attack left the congregation without a keyboard for worship. During their last visit in May, to pay respects at the mass grave of 54 that included 11 church members, Devlin pledged to replace the keyboard and build a memorial wall at the mass grave. Less than two months later, one promise has been fulfilled courtesy of CMF’s Rev David John Roberson who generously responded to the need.

Zike, home to the Rigwe people—devout Christian farmers—has suffered deeply from the April 13 massacre. Among the wounded is Alice Stephen, widowed when she lost seven family members and had her right hand amputated.

Ogebe also brought practical good news for her. After receiving treatment for months from the duo, they’re sending her to a specialist hospital out of state for a prosthetic hand through Rev. Williams’ coordination with the ICRC (Red Cross.)

Hon. Bala Gado an official of Bassa Local Government received the donation on behalf of the state, praising U.S. partners for stepping in. “We need more help,” he said. “There are over 2,000 orphans and 500 widows in Rigwe Chiefdom and we’re grateful for every bit that comes in.”

In a letter of thanks, Pastor Ishaku wrote, “Your compassion has brought great comfort and hope… Words cannot fully capture how much your support means to us.”

Mrs. Esther, the church’s women’s leader, added, “Music helps us to praise God… This gift will help us heal.”

Ogebe, said, “Music is a universal language of healing. We want the people of Zike to know they are not forgotten. We can’t replace lives but we can replace physical things that were lost.”

Despite the trauma, the Rigwe community has chosen to remain on their land. At Zike, Ogebe remarked, “The Rigwe people are courageous and refuse to give up their lives. In Benue state, we treated a man whose children and grandchildren were all in an in IDP camp over 11 years.”

As a chorus rose from the crowd gathered outside the church, the message was clear: faith endures, and the world is listening.