Mrs. Favour Ayuba, the bereaved mother whose grief over the death of her son during the Palm Sunday massacre in Jos has made her the face of the tragedy, has buried him with a cutlass, calling on him to avenge his death.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
In a viral video seen by our correspondent on Friday, the woman, speaking in an emotion-laden voice, said she had not eaten since the Palm Sunday terror attack that claimed her son’s life.
Her actions reflect the anguish and frustration of families affected by recurring violence in Plateau State.
Mrs. Ayuba first captured national attention when a video showing her clutching and shaking her son’s lifeless body went viral, symbolising the human toll of the attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area on March 29, 2026.
The latest violence in Plateau State occurred on Palm Sunday, where gunmen attacked residents, killing at least 24 people and leaving several others injured.
During her son’s burial, Mrs. Ayuba brought out a cutlass wrapped in a white cloth, which she had hidden under her garment.
She placed it in her son’s coffin, as she sought vengeance.
Speaking in Hausa, she said: “If you want me to forget, baby, avenge your death. I carried you in my womb for nine months; you suckled at my breast. Baby, I trust you, revenge for me, revenge for me. Please, wherever they are, follow them and avenge your death.”
@thenigerialawyer“Avenge Your Death” — Bereaved Mother Buries Son Killed In Jos Palm Sunday Attack With Cutlass, Calls On Him To Follow His Killers “Wherever They Are”♬ original sound – TheNigeriaLawyer
In a tragic twist, the burial took place on what would have been her son’s birthday.
Speaking amid intermittent sobbing in the background of the video, Mrs. Ayuba made reference to the biblical story of Gideon, who went to war and returned victorious.
“Today is your birthday. I am grateful to God that today is your birthday, baby. You don’t like seeing me in tears, and I will not weep for you. Baby, I have not eaten since Sunday,” she said.
“I am begging you, because you have not warmed food for me to eat, but from today I promise you I will eat. I have a gift for you, baby. I trust you; I named you Promise Gideon Ayuba. Gideon in the Bible went to war and came back victorious.”
Mrs. Ayuba’s prominence was further highlighted on Thursday during a visit to Jos by President Bola Tinubu, when he singled her out for consolation, acknowledging her anguish directly in front of officials, community members, and other victims’ families.
“I know the pain; I saw how, in the video, you held on to your son, Ayuba, and the pain and agony in your heart, but it’s only God who can give you joy and comfort,” Tinubu said while addressing victims’ families and representatives.
The President assured them of government support: “No amount of money can pay all of you back. As a government, we will do our best to comfort you.”
“To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” Tinubu told grieving families, pausing to speak personally to Mrs. Ayuba.
The exchange drew attention to the raw reality of grief that statistics and official statements often fail to convey.
The Palm Sunday massacre, which claimed multiple lives, is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Jos and surrounding communities, often linked to disputes over land, identity, and religion.
Residents continue to call for stronger security measures and accountability for perpetrators.
While President Tinubu assured the families that efforts would be made to prevent future attacks, including plans for enhanced security deployments, intelligence gathering, and better coordination between federal and local agencies, many remain sceptical given the recurrence of such violence.
For Rhoda Favour and other victims’ families, her symbolic burial of her son with a cutlass and the personal attention she received from the President have brought the human cost of the Jos attacks into sharp relief.
The act of placing a weapon in her son’s coffin and calling on him to “follow them wherever they are” speaks to the depth of despair and the yearning for justice — or vengeance — that grips communities repeatedly devastated by violence.
Her reference to the biblical Gideon, a warrior who achieved victory against overwhelming odds, reflects a desire for divine intervention in a situation where human institutions appear to have failed.
The image of a mother who has not eaten since her son’s murder, burying him on his birthday with a call for revenge, will remain one of the most haunting symbols of the Palm Sunday massacre — and of the broader crisis of insecurity that continues to claim lives across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
For President Tinubu and the security agencies, the raw grief displayed by Mrs. Ayuba and other bereaved families represents a challenge that goes beyond promises and condolences. The question remains whether the government’s assurances of “never again” will translate into concrete action that prevents the next tragedy — or whether another mother will soon be seen clutching the lifeless body of her child.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Order Your Copy Now” — Basil Momodu, Esq. Unveils Second Edition Of His Book, "Civil Procedure In Nigeria"
According to the learned author, Basil Momodu Esq. "Law review is a continuum. We will continue to track changes in the law to enrich future editions." Recommended Booksellers: Lagos: 08033855230, Abuja: 08035991379, and others.
