TDIn the wake of a brutal attack in Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba district, the Plateau State Government has imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area, effective from midnight on March 29 to April 1, 2026.
The curfew comes after gunmen reportedly stormed the community on Sunday, killing and injuring several residents in what authorities have described as a “barbaric and unprovoked attack.”
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and began shooting indiscriminately, leaving a trail of destruction and panic in their wake.
At least 20 People Killed in Plateau State
According to residents and local officials, the assault resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives.
Numerous others reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Some sources suggest that the death toll could rise as more victims are accounted for.
The incident occurred in Gari Ya Waye, a densely populated community within Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State, highlighting the vulnerability of residents in certain areas of Jos North.
Several homes were reportedly damaged, and local businesses were forced to close as panic spread through the community.
Residents described the attackers as heavily armed and well-coordinated, a level of organization that has raised concerns about ongoing security threats in the state.
Plateau Government’s Response
The Plateau State Government, under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, swiftly condemned the attacks.
Governor Mutfwang directed security agencies to take immediate action to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Honorable Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announced the Governor’s directive in an official statement.
Ramnap stressed that all necessary measures were being taken to bring the attackers to justice.
She urged citizens to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate fully with security operatives by providing any information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The government’s decision to impose a curfew reflects a proactive approach to preventing further violence.
It is also expected to restore order in the aftermath of the massacre.
Security personnel have been deployed to patrol key areas, enforce the curfew, and secure vulnerable communities.
Gory Picture of a Recurring Decimal
This latest attack adds to a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State.
The state has faced repeated security challenges stemming from communal clashes, land disputes, and other tensions.
Residents and civil society groups have long called for stronger security measures and more robust intelligence operations to prevent such attacks.
As Plateau State mourns the lives lost in Gari Ya Waye, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served while safeguarding the safety of residents across Jos North.
The curfew provides authorities with the opportunity to stabilize the area, investigate the incident thoroughly, and prevent further tragedies.
