Protests Erupt in Jos North Over Palm Sunday Killings; Residents Violate Emergency Curfew

Hundreds of people in Jos North ignored the 48-hour curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government today, taking to the streets of Angwan Rukuba to express outrage over the gunmen attack that killed several residents on Palm Sunday.

The demonstration, which was streamed live on TikTok, showed crowds chanting and demanding immediate government action to stop the repeated violence in the area.

The protesters argued that restricting movement would not solve the problem and accused security agencies of failing to protect the community.

Police quickly intervened to disperse the crowd, with reports of officers preparing to use tear gas.

The protest comes after suspected gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba on Sunday evening and opened fire indiscriminately in a busy market and student area. At least a dozen people were killed, with several others injured.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the incident as “barbaric and unprovoked” and imposed the curfew across Jos North to prevent further unrest. He assured residents that security forces had been deployed to track down the attackers.

In his visit to the community, the governor engaged protesters and assured them that those responsible for the attack “will not go unpunished” and that his administration would pursue justice relentlessly until the perpetrators are brought to book.

Governor Mutfwang also pledged that the state government would take full responsibility for funding dignified burials for the deceased and covering the medical treatment of all those injured in the attack.

He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to work together, stressing that “security is a shared responsibility” and urging unity to confront the challenge.

Despite these assurances, Monday’s protest suggests growing public anger and a lack of confidence in the authorities’ ability to end the cycle of violence that has long troubled Plateau State.

The latest incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of communities in the Middle Belt, where attacks and reprisals continue to claim lives and disrupt daily life.