Tension Erupts at Jos Funeral as Death Toll from Plateau Attack Hits 33, Protesters Demand Justice

Grief turned into anger in Jos as a funeral service for victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack was disrupted by protests, exposing deep frustration over rising violence and delayed justice in Plateau State.

What was meant to be a solemn farewell quickly grew tense as women and youths gathered outside the church, demanding accountability and the release of three young men earlier detained by the military. The emotional atmosphere reflected a community pushed to the edge by repeated attacks.

Representing the Plateau State Government, Chief of Staff Jeremiah Satmak confirmed that the death toll from the Palm Sunday attack has climbed from 28 to 33, after several victims succumbed to injuries in hospital. He assured grieving families that authorities are intensifying efforts to uncover those responsible.

Satmak said the government remains determined to identify the motive behind the killings and ensure justice is served. He described the attack as an attempt to fracture unity in the state, insisting such efforts would not succeed. Residents were urged to remain vigilant while the government works to restore peace.

In a move that briefly eased tensions, the state confirmed that the three youths arrested in connection with the incident have now been released. However, the announcement came only after mounting pressure from protesters who had earlier threatened to halt the burial.

Speaking at the service, Gomwalk Dunkan, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State, stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved without justice. He called on authorities to ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book, warning that impunity would only fuel further unrest.

Outside the church, protesters accused security forces of targeting innocent youths while the real attackers remain at large. Carrying placards and chanting, they insisted the arrests were unjust and demanded immediate action against the perpetrators of the violence.

The unrest highlights growing anxiety across Plateau, where communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks. The latest incident, carried out by gunmen reportedly on motorcycles, adds to a string of deadly assaults in recent weeks, including an ambush that left dozens of security operatives and vigilantes dead in Kanam Local Government Area.