Protest Disrupts Mass Burial in Jos
A funeral service for victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, was disrupted on Tuesday by protesting women who blocked the church entrance to demand the release of youths arrested by security agents following the violence that claimed at least 28 lives.
The protesters, carrying leaves and chanting songs, prevented the mass burial ceremony from proceeding at the community church, insisting that their demands be met first. “We will not allow the burial to take place until our sons are released,” stated Rhoda Aliyu, one of the demonstrators. Another protester, Mathew Bulus, added: “Those arrested by soldiers are innocent. They are not the ones who carried out the killings. They should go after the perpetrators and leave our youths alone, and we will not let them be detained unfairly.”
The demonstration escalated tensions in the community as approximately seven corpses of attack victims arrived at the venue. The women, joined by some youths, locked the church entrance, alleging that military authorities had arrested three community members in connection with investigations into the killings. A community source confirmed that the protesters were demanding unconditional release of the detained youths before any burial could occur.
Unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, had attacked Angwan Rukuba and the Gari Ya Waye area on Palm Sunday night, killing over 28 people and injuring several others. The assailants stormed the densely populated community around 8 p.m. and opened fire indiscriminately on residents.
President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State last week to commiserate with victims’ families and directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators. He also ordered the installation of over 5,000 Artificial Intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to enhance 24-hour surveillance and combat insecurity.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who had earlier visited the attack scene, described the incident as a heinous and well-orchestrated act aimed at destabilising the state. “Plateau State will not bow to the blackmail of terror,” the governor declared in a statewide broadcast. He assured residents that his administration had convened a Security Council meeting to address lapses and strengthen security measures across vulnerable areas.
Mutfwang commended the people of Angwan Rukuba and Plateau State for exercising restraint and refusing to retaliate despite the provocation. He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies and the government in restoring lasting peace and unity.