Suspected Gunmen Kill Residents In Palm Sunday Attack, 48‑Hour Curfew

Suspected Gunmen Kill Residents in Palm Sunday Attack, 48‑Hour Curfew Imposed Dozens of residents in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State were killed in a nighttime gun attack on Sunday, March 29, 2026, prompting widespread outrage, protests and a strict 48‑hour curfew imposed by the state government Gunmen riding on motorcycles opened fire in communities including Angwa Rukuba and Gari Ya Waye, according to eyewitnesses, sparking scenes of panic as residents fled. Local residents and officials reported at least 20 people were killed, though some community sources and online accounts suggest the toll could be higher, with unconfirmed estimates and varying reports continuing to circulate. The Plateau State Government declared a 48‑hour curfew across Jos North, effective from midnight on March 29 until April 1, as authorities sought to curb further violence and give security forces room to stabilise the situation. Witnesses described attackers firing indiscriminately into crowds in busy student and residential areas, causing chaos and multiple casualties. Graphic videos circulating on social media showed bodies lying in the streets, intensifying anger and fear among residents. Following the attack, youths blocked roads in parts of Jos North to protest what they called a delayed security response, heightening tensions in the already volatile area. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence as a “barbaric and unprovoked” assault, ordering increased deployment of security operatives and urging agencies to pursue those responsible. The curfew, enforced through April 1, is intended to prevent further bloodshed while giving security forces authority to operate with fewer civilian movements. The timing of the attack on Palm Sunday, a major Christian observance has led to widespread social media claims categorising it as a “Christian massacre,” though there has been no official confirmation regarding victim affiliations or motives from security agencies.

Public figures, including entertainers and religious leaders, expressed shock and sorrow online, offering prayers and condolences while also calling for decisive action to end persistent insecurity Plateau State, part of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has a long history of recurring conflicts involving armed gangs, cattle herders, farmers, and communal disputes that frequently escalate into deadly clashes. Recent attacks there reflect continuing insecurity across central Nigeria.