A wave of fear and grief has swept through communities in Plateau State following a deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos North, prompting swift action from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who has ordered a 48-hour curfew to restore calm.
The restriction, which took effect at midnight on March 29, 2026, will remain in force until April 1, covering the entire Jos North Local Government Area. The decision follows a brutal evening assault on the Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, where suspected gunmen opened fire on residents.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic and terrifying scene as heavily armed attackers stormed the area at about 7:50 pm. Residents were caught off guard as gunshots rang out, sending people fleeing in panic while others hid indoors for safety.
Although the exact number of casualties remains unclear, multiple community sources confirmed that several people were killed, with many others sustaining gunshot injuries. Some victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities as families and neighbors struggled to respond to the aftermath.
“It was sudden and terrifying,” one resident recounted. “They came shooting and people just ran in every direction.”
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the state government described the incident as a “tragic security breach” and strongly condemned the attack.
“The government under the leadership of His Excellency… strongly condemns this barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens,” the statement read, assuring residents that security agencies are working to apprehend those responsible.
Authorities say the curfew is a necessary measure to prevent further violence and allow security forces to stabilize the area.
Security Response and Ongoing Investigations
Security personnel, including units of the Nigerian Army, responded to distress calls shortly after the attack, helping to secure the community and restore a measure of order. Investigations are currently underway, though no group has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unknown.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by sharing any information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The latest violence adds to a troubling pattern of recurring attacks in Plateau, a state long plagued by communal tensions and sporadic clashes. Over the years, similar incidents have underscored the fragile security situation in parts of the region, particularly in and around Jos.
Community leaders are once again calling for stronger, more proactive security measures, alongside long-term solutions to address the root causes of the unrest.
For now, the mood in Gari Ya Waye remains somber. What should have been a peaceful Palm Sunday has instead left families mourning, as a community grapples with loss – and waits for justice.
