The graveyard peace in Jos, Plateau State, slipped away Wednesday following the relaxation of the 48-hour curfew imposed by the Plateau State government to check violent protests that trailed the Sunday night attack on Angwan Rukuba community in the Jos North Local Government Area.
At least 28 people were killed and many others injured when gunmen invaded the community around 7.30 pm on Sunday, shooting indiscriminately as residents scampered to safety.
After the gunmen had left, angry youths took to the streets to protest the killings, blocking a major road and attacking passersby – a development that prompted the government to impose the 48-hour curfew.
The state Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, announced the relaxation of the curfew in a statement on Tuesday to between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow residents attend to their normal activities within the permitted hours.
No sooner had the relaxed curfew taken effect on Wednesday morning than tension flared up as hoodlums attacked motorists and passersby in different parts of the state capital, causing fresh panic among residents.
Residents, students and business operators who came out in the morning were seen running for dear life as the crisis escalated, paralysing commercial activities in the state capital.
Our correspondent, who went round some areas, reports that roads leading to various communities were blocked by irate youths who unleashed deadly attacks on innocent persons.
Although there is no official casualty figure, our correspondent saw several injured people being taken to hospitals as security agents and officials of the Nigerian Red Cross evacuated lifeless bodies.
Youths threw stones at security personnel, who responded by firing into the air to calm the situation. There was reinforcement of security personnel to douse the tension.
Daily Trust reports that the most affected areas included the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, Farin Gada Junction.
The violent situation forced banks and businesses in the affected areas to shut down abruptly.
A resident, Joy Bature, who runs a provision shop at the Terminus Market, said she and other traders were scared to open their shops for fear of being caught up in the ensuing violence.
Another resident of Zololo Junction, Musa Bala, said, “We were going about our business when we started seeing thugs shouting and stopping innocent people for no reason. It was very unfortunate.”
Security personnel, including soldiers and police, patrolled major roads to maintain law and order. Some operatives were also stationed at flashpoints to prevent further attacks.
Communities differ on cause of escalation
There are different accounts of what led to the Wednesday incident. But the majority said it was sparked off by an altercation over the Sunday attack among the residents of Christian and Muslim border communities in Nassarawa Gwom. The residents started throwing stones and other weapons at each other.
“The tension started around 7:30 am around the Anguwan Rukuba junction when some youths attacked about seven water vendors who entered Anguwan Rukuba. The water vendors narrowly escaped with injuries and ran back to the Anguwan Rukuba junction. Some youths at the junction retaliated and the crisis escalated across the metropolis,” a resident, Ibrahim Isa, said.
However, a resident of Tina Junction in Jos North, Friday Endurance, told Daily Trust the crisis started when they heard some hoodlums wanted to invade Anguwan Rukuba to burn a church.
“People started moving to the church area to protect it. Before long, there was a confrontation in Nasarawa Gwom between both sides,” he added.
Meanwhile, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) on Wednesday directed all students to immediately evacuate the institution’s hostels due to heightened tensions.
According to the University, the evacuation order became necessary after assessing the general security situation in the state capital.
In a circular issued by Deputy Registrar (Information and Public Relations), Emmanuel Madugu, on behalf of the Registrar, the evacuation will be carried out in two phases.
“Students whose parents or guardians reside within Jos and its environs would be evacuated on Wednesday, from 3:00 pm. While students whose parents or guardians live outside Jos and its environs would be evacuated on
Thursday,” a circular signed by the university’s Deputy Registrar (Information and Public Relations), Emmanuel Madugu, on behalf of the Registrar stated.
The UNIJOS Alumni Association, in a statement on Wednesday by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, urged the state government and security agencies to beef up security across the university’s campuses, hostels and major access routes.
Govt must take decisive action-Dr Getso
Dr. Yahuza Getso, Managing Director of Eagle Integrated Security and Logistics Company, noted that several factors contribute to the prolonged crisis in the state.
“One is complicity. The government fails to take decisive measures against those who are found to be responsible for the atrocities. The general public themselves are not really supporting the system in terms of providing the right information on how the government could do the needful,” he said.
Dr Getso, who is also the National Deputy Director of Operations, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, for peace to reign, government and other relevant institutions must be sincere in their approaches.
“Government must conduct a lot of sensitization and media engagement, use community-driven strategies to sensitize youths and ensure social justice. People must hold their leaders accountable for the responsibility given to them. Traditional and religious leaders must rise to their responsibilities,” he stated.
CAN, JNI call for calm
The state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) have separately condemned the recent violence in the state, urging people to remain calm.
Panmak Mark, the state Chairman of Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), described the incident as unfortunate.
“We are calling on all parties to remain calm. There is no reason to fight against anyone, irrespective of their ethnoreligious beliefs. We are urging everyone to remain calm and vigilant,” Mark appealed.
The JNI Secretary General, Dr Salim Umar Musa, condemned the recent crisis and called for calm among citizens, saying, “JNI expressed its deep concern over the situation and urged Muslims and Nigerians to remain calm, emphasizing that peace is paramount.”
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the government is working tirelessly to fish out those behind the recent violence, adding that normalcy had been restored.
She said security agencies would review the curfew, assuring that “the government is doing everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.”
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached for comments.
Council chair imposes curfew on Mangu
The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Emmanuel Bala Mwolpun, has imposed a curfew on Mangu metropolis in a move to prevent escalation of violence to the area. According to the chairman, the curfew took effect from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and will run from 8pm to 6am daily until further notice.
Mwolpun said the decision followed a careful deliberation with heads of security operatives in the area, adding that it became necessary to safeguard lives and property amid prevailing security concerns.
“Members of the public are advised to stay indoors during the curfew hours and cooperate with security personnel on duty,” Mwolpun said in a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Publicity, Mr. Jeremiah Dakahap.
Shun revenge, Wase urges residents
A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, urged residents to resist retaliatory actions amid rising violence in the state, warning that revenge would only deepen the crisis and escalate tensions.
Condemning the spate of violence across the state, Wase cited multiple incidents, including killings in Zurak and Sabon Gari in Wase LGA, attacks in Garga community in Kanam, the ambush of traders in Pankshin, and coordinated attacks in Barkin Ladi and Riyom.
He described the incidents as “affronts to humanity” and threats to the fragile peace in the state.
“We must not allow anger to provoke retaliatory actions that will only deepen the various crises and escalate tension in our dear state,” he said.
He called on citizens, community and religious leaders to remain calm and support the authorities with credible information, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.
Tinubu heads to Plateau today
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today (Thursday) travel to Jos to commiserate with the government and people of the state following the Sunday killings.
Addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attack as “unfortunate” but said, “the situation has been brought under control now.”
VANGUARD.
