The Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has cancelled the 2025 Christ the King procession earlier scheduled to hold across all its parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies, citing rising security concerns in Nigeria and particularly in Plateau State.
Christ the King solemnity, celebrated annually across the global Catholic Church, was earlier scheduled to occur this year on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
But in a notice signed by Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Daniel Gyang, and made available to journalists on Saturday night in Jos, the church said the decision followed a review of the current security situation affecting communities across the state.
The archdiocese said that all deanery and parish-level processions had also been cancelled in line with the directive.
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State
“Considering the current security situation of our dear country, Nigeria, and our beloved state of Plateau, the already planned Christ the King procession has been cancelled. Consequently, all planned deanery or parish processions are also cancelled, but a solemn benediction may be done,” the statement read.
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The archdiocese, however, permitted parishes to hold solemn benedictions within church premises as a safer alternative to the widely attended outdoor procession, stressing that the adjustment was aimed at ensuring the protection of worshippers.
The statement further advised priests and parishioners to avoid large public gatherings and remain vigilant, noting that discouraging such gatherings was necessary in light of ongoing security threats in the state.
It added that the church was praying for God’s intervention in Nigeria’s challenges and wished the faithful a peaceful end to the liturgical year.
Schools remain shut
Meanwhile, the Plateau State government shut down its basic schools across the state on Friday over security concerns.
The Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Richard Jonah, noted that the directive was a preventive measure.
“You are aware of attacks in schools in some states. So, here in Plateau, the government is being proactive because we don’t want anything like such to happen here,” he told The Punch.
“So, the government decided to close the schools as a temporary measure to enable it to work on some security measures that can be put in place before school sessions can continue,” he said.
A statement issued by the board said government junior model secondary schools would close November 22, 2025, while primary and day schools were to close from November 24, 2025.
The statement read, “The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows:
“Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025.rity measures that can be put in place before school sessions can continue,” he said.
“This decision is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.
“The Board assures parents, guardians, and stakeholders that this closure is a temporary but necessary step to forestall potential threats and to reassure communities that the government is prioritising the well-being of our learners.”
The statement also directed local government education authorities, school heads, and community leaders to cooperate and remain vigilant.
FG shuts unity schools
Furthermore, the Nigerian government on Friday also ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over the rising insecurity across the country.
Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Ms Binta Abdulkadir, announced this via a circular.
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She said sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had approved the immediate closure of the listed federal unity colleges.
“Principals of the affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister,” the circular said.
The affected schools are FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.
Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.
Insecurity rising in Nigeria
Terrorists are now more emboldened to carry out fiercer attacks in Nigeria, particularly in schools. On Monday, gunmen kidnapped 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, shooting the principal.
The late-night attack left the vice principal, Mr Hassan Yakubu Makuku, dead after he reportedly tried shielding the students from the attackers. “It is a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning,” said a resident, Ms Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident. Two students, however, escaped.
The same day, terrorists kidnapped Fr. Bobbo Paschal from St. Stephen Parish of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, where he serves as Parish Priest. “During the attack, many others were abducted, and the brother of Fr. Anthony Yero was killed,” said Chancellor of the Nigerian Metropolitan See, Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel.
On Tuesday, no fewer than five persons were killed and several others abducted after terrorists attacked Eruku, a boundary town with Kogi State, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Gunmen also attacked a church in the town in the evening of the same day, killing at least two people and kidnapping the pastor and some worshippers. The attack may have amplified the claim by United States lawmakers and President Donald Trump that a Christian genocide is going on in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s president also confirmed that Brig. Gen. Musa Uba was killed by a terrorist group while in captivity, days after he was kidnapped by ISWAP militants in Borno State. The attack had also claimed the lives of four other soldiers.
In spite of reports that Gen Uba had been killed and an earlier image showing him in ISWAP captivity, the Nigerian Army claimed he was alive – until President Tinubu cleared the air.
Earlier on Saturday, terrorists killed three persons and abducted at least 64 others at Fegin Baza village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The incident happened a day after Minister of State for Defence and former governor of the state, Mr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, visited the state and claimed that the Defence Headquarters had deployed fresh troops, according to Daily Trust.
The terrorists also kidnapped 315 pupils in a Catholic school in Niger State on Thursday.
