Hundreds of residents in plateau state, North-Central Nigeria,took the streets on Monday morning, defying a government-imposed curfew to protest the deadly Palm Sunday attack in the state that left several people dead.
The protest took place in Anguwan Rukuba, a community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where the attack occurred on Sunday evening. Demonstrators demanded urgent intervention from authorities, expressing anger over recurring killings in the state.
Videos shared online showed large crowds chanting and voicing frustration over what they described as persistent security lapses. Some residents insisted that imposing curfews does little to address the underlying issues.
“People are outside because of the attack that happened yesterday. They chased the security men because they are not doing any help right here,” one protester said.
Another resident described how the attackers struck during a power outage. “Yesterday around 7pm to 8pm in the night, there was no light, so these people firing — as in straight shooting on rapid — a lot of people had to flee for their lives,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said operatives of the later intervened to disperse the crowd, causing panic as officers reportedly prepared to deploy tear gas.
“People are now running because the police want to shoot at us. They want to fire teargas,” an eyewitness said.
The demonstration followed a deadly Sunday evening attack in Anguwan Rukuba, where suspected gunmen reportedly dressed in military uniforms stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately in a busy market environment.
A resident, Nyam Isaac, said the attackers arrived around 8 pm, leaving multiple people injured. “Gunmen came around 8 pm to Angwan Rukuba and shot randomly at people. It’s a market setting. People who saw them said they came in soldier khaki. They left many injured,” he said.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria, particularly over the persistent insecurity in Plateau State. Some social media users expressed grief and anger, with one writing, “Jos is under curfew tonight. Palm Sunday. Gunmen on motorcycles shot through a student community and killed at least 10 people. Over 40 dead in Plateau since Thursday.”
Another user questioned the government’s response: “What happened in Jos yesterday is really sad… Why is the government allowing this to happen to its citizens? What kind of government is this?”
Following the attack, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, confirmed the directive in a statement.
“Following the tragic security incident that occurred at Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba today, Sunday, resulting in the loss of lives… the government has imposed a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Governor condemned the killings, describing the attack as “barbaric and unprovoked,” and assured residents that security agencies have been deployed to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice.
