By Daniel Kanu
At least 27 persons have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by suspected terrorists on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
The assailants, who reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles in the early evening hours of Palm Sunday, opened fire indiscriminately on residents, targeting passersby and roadside traders in what witnesses described as a coordinated and brutal assault.
President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association said 14 victims were initially confirmed dead, while 13 others later succumbed to injuries at various medical facilities, bringing the death toll to 27.
In response to the tragedy, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The curfew, according to the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, took effect from midnight on March 29 and is expected to last until April 1, 2026.
The government said the measure was taken in collaboration with security agencies following what it described as a “tragic security incident” that led to significant loss of lives and left many others injured.
“Following the tragic security incident that occurred at Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba, today, Sunday, March 29, 2026, resulting in the loss of lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries, the Plateau State Government… wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as “barbaric, senseless, and unprovoked.”
He assured residents that security agencies had been directed to track down and apprehend the perpetrators, while also reinforcing security presence in vulnerable communities.
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the incident. A resident, John Caleb, said the community was caught off guard by the sudden invasion.
“We have been badly hit in Angwan Rukuba by unknown gunmen. Several people were shot, and many were rushed to Luna Hospital along New Road. It is a devastating situation,” he said.
Another resident, Janet Pam, recounted how she initially mistook the gunshots for a distant disturbance before realising the gravity of the situation.
“I was inside my house when I heard the first gunshot. When it continued, I stepped out and saw gunmen on motorcycles shooting at people. They targeted those on the road and traders by the roadside. One of those killed was my neighbour, who was returning from church,” she said, describing the incident as unprecedented and deeply terrifying.
The attackers reportedly fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives, leaving behind a trail of destruction and panic. In the aftermath, angry youths staged a protest, blocking major roads in the area, but were later dispersed by security forces.
Residents have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles in Jos and Bukuru metropolis, arguing that such measures could help curb the mobility of armed groups.
The latest attack underscores a troubling resurgence of violence in Plateau State, particularly in rural communities and parts of Jos North.
In recent months, the state has witnessed a series of deadly incidents linked to armed groups, banditry, and communal tensions.
Just weeks ago, no fewer than 20 security personnel and vigilantes were reportedly killed in an ambush in Kanam Local Government Area. Similarly, in 2025, coordinated attacks across Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas claimed over 100 lives and displaced thousands.
The region has also continued to grapple with the aftermath of the Christmas Eve attacks in 2023, during which more than 140 villagers were killed in coordinated assaults that drew widespread condemnation.
Security analysts have repeatedly called for a more robust and intelligence-driven approach to tackling the persistent violence in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, stressing the need for improved surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
As residents mourn the victims of the latest attack, many are urging both state and federal authorities to take decisive steps to restore peace and prevent further bloodshed in the region.
