Hundreds of angry residents in Plateau State on Monday morning defied the state -imposed curfew and flooded the streets to protest the deadly Palm Sunday attack that claimed several lives in Jos North Local Government Area.
The protest took place at Anguwan Rukuba, the community where the attack occurred on Sunday evening.
Videos from the protest circulating on social media showed residents chanting and demanding urgent government action over the recurring killings in the area.
Some of the demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s failure to prevent repeated attacks in the state.
One of the residents participating in the protest said the curfew imposed by the government was not a solution to the persistent security challenges.
“People are outside because of the attack that happened yesterday. They chased the security men because they are not doing any help right here,” the protester said.
He added that the attackers struck during a power outage, forcing residents to flee for their lives.
The protest said: “Yesterday around 7pm to 8pm in the night, there was no light, so these people firing — as in straight shooting on rapid — a lot of people had to flee for their lives.”
Eyewitnesses said the protest was later disrupted when operatives of the Nigeria Police Force moved in to disperse the crowd.
According to witnesses, officers chased the protesters while preparing to fire tear gas.
“People are now running because the police want to shoot at us. They want to fire teargas,” an eyewitness said.
The protest followed the Sunday evening attack when suspected gunmen reportedly dressed in military uniforms stormed Anguwan Rukuba and opened fire on residents.
The attackers were said to have invaded the area at about 8 pm, shooting indiscriminately at people in what witnesses described as a busy market area.
A resident, Nyam Isaac, said the attackers left several people injured during the assault.
“Gunmen came around 8 pm to Angwan Rukuba and shot randomly at people. It’s a market setting. People who saw them said they came in soldier khaki. They left many injured,” he said.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the recurring killings in Plateau State.
A social media user identified as Kaptain Kush wrote: “Jos is under curfew tonight. Palm Sunday. Gunmen on motorcycles shot through a student community and killed at least 10 people. Over 40 dead in Plateau since Thursday.”
Another user, Oyindamola, questioned the government’s response to the persistent violence.
“What happened in Jos yesterday is really sad… Why is the government allowing this to happen to its citizens? What kind of government is this?” she asked.
In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
“Following the tragic security incident that occurred at Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba today, Sunday, resulting in the loss of lives… the government has imposed a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect,” the statement said.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang also condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unprovoked, while assuring residents that security agencies had been mobilised to apprehend those responsible.
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