Angry Residents Block Mass Burial in Jos After Palm Sunday Attack, Demand Release of Arrested Youths

Tensions escalated in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, on Tuesday as women and youths blocked the planned mass burial of victims of the Palm Sunday attack that left over 28 people dead. Protesters carried leaves and chanted songs, citing the arrest of three local youths by military authorities in connection with the killings.

The women and youths locked the entrance to the church where the mass burial was scheduled, demanding the immediate release of the detained individuals before any funeral proceedings could take place. Community sources confirmed the demonstration, which only eased after intervention from local youth leaders.

The Palm Sunday attack occurred in the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba on the night of April 7, 2026, when unknown gunmen, believed to be bandits, stormed the densely populated community around 7:30 pm, opening fire indiscriminately on residents. Several were injured, and over two dozen lost their lives.

Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State, expressing condolences to victims’ families and directing security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators. He also ordered the installation of over 5,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to strengthen 24-hour surveillance.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who also visited the scene, condemned the attack as a well-orchestrated attempt to destabilise the state. He assured residents that justice would be served and that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. In a statewide broadcast, the governor urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies to restore peace and unity.

Mutfwang commended the people of Angwan Rukuba for exercising restraint and refraining from retaliatory violence despite the provocation. He affirmed that Plateau State would not succumb to acts of terror.

As of press time, attempts to obtain comments from security agencies regarding the arrested youths and the ongoing tension had not succeeded. Normalcy has since returned to the community, and the funeral mass for the victims is underway.