…Police has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators of the Holy Week killings
By Naanlep Dabee & Justine John Dyikuk
March 29th has set another tragic record in the minds and hearts of the residents of Jos, Plateau State, in the central region of Nigeria, following a well-coordinated attack by suspected terrorists who fired at innocent citizens at the very busy Angwan Rukuba Junction located in Jos North area council of the state on Sunday, as Christians began Holy Week.
The attack at the heart of the metropolitan city took place a few minutes after 7 in the evening of Palm Sunday, leaving behind dozens of people in cold blood, with so many others injured.
Bodies of victims
An eyewitness, Mr Joseph David, in an interview with Advocatus Africa, disclosed that the attackers came on a motorbike and fired shots at people from the junction down to the over-crowded spot around La Med Pharmacy as they moved and escaped into thin air.
The sporadic shooting by the men on motorbikes caused confusion as people scampered for safety. The attackers were reinforced by another batch of the machineries who came inside a car wearing masks and continued to fire at people indiscriminately, operating for almost 10-15 minutes before they left.
A resident of the Angwan Rukuba area, Mr. Clement Damian, recounted to Advocatus Africa on Monday morning his heartbreaking experience while at the Junction, where corpses of those killed were laid on the ground.
“This morning I had to come to the scene and see things for myself maybe any of our relatives was affected. Upon reaching here my eyes couldn’t believe what I’m seeing right away.
“When I arrived at this place in the morning, 15 dead bodies were lying on the ground. I even recognised one person among those killed. I saw that about three of the victims were female and the rest were men. This is aside from those who were rushed to the hospital; some of them were said to have given up in the hospital.
“While we were here waiting alongside the security personnel who have been deployed here. We have plenty of soldiers and police here, two cars brought corpses of those who died in the hospital, and we have 28 dead bodies now on the ground like this; they even went to the maternity to pick up other ones again.
“Some of the corpses have machete cuts on them. We were told that the attackers were speaking Fulfulde, and when they gun somebody down and realise you didn’t die, they will cut the person with a machete. Sincerely, the whole thing here is so devastating, I swear! I’m still here with other people,” he emotionally shared his encounter.
One of the victims, Mr. Longwa
The Mother of one of the victims, Mr. Promise, a young promising child of his parents, was in a pool of blood as she was seen holding the dead body of her son, rebuking that her son is not dead and calling him to wake up in the Hausa language.
According to her, “Yarona bai mutu ba, Yarona Promise bai mutu ba! Yaro, Yaro,” (My son is not dead, Son! No, my son Promise is not dead! Son, son, wake up), She called him profusely but to no avail.
Mother of one of the victims, Mr. Promise, a young promising child of his parents
Meanwhile, in a video widely circulated on social media, American Missionary and Humanitarian, Alex Barbir, took a swipe at the federal government, asking, “Tinubu, where are you? Your people are slaughtered in the night.”
The founder of Building Zion noted, “You do absolutely nothing. You allow your people to be killed, again, again and again.”
In a series of queries, the aid worker who funded and completed the construction of about 38 homes for survivors of the Yelewata massacre in Benue State asked, “When will you hear the cries of your people?” while stating, “You can no longer deny genocide. They are being slaughtered, and you said there are no issues? You will regret what you’re doing.”
American Missionary and Humanitarian, Alex Barbir, takes a swipe at the federal government over the Jos, Palm Sunday Killings.
Government’s Action
The Plateau State Government had earlier ordered a 48-hour curfew in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night following the attacks to enable security agencies to take control of the unfortunate situation before it escalates to other areas of the Metropolis.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap strongly condemned the barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens, assuring the public that all necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Residents at Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba, following the tragic attack
The statement reads in part, ”Following the tragic security incident that occurred at Gari Ya Waye community Angwan Rukuba, today, Sunday, 29th March 2028, resulting in the loss of lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“The Plateau State Government, in conjunction with security agencies, wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect, commencing from 12 midnight of 29th March, to 1st April, 2026.”
It further states that, “The government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, strongly condemns this barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“Citizens are urged to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing any useful information that may aid ongoing investigations,” the government urged citizens.
Recall that the Plateau State Police command on March 20th, 2026 in a statement disclosed the arrest of a suspect who earlier on announced their readiness and plan to clampdown on Christians after Salah celebration.
In a statement titled, “PLATEAU STATE POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS FAKE NEWS PEDDLERS AND SARA-SUKA CULT SYNDICATE SUSPECTS,” signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Alfred Alabo, on March 20th, 2026, noted that the suspect confessed to the crime and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
A suspect in a TikTok video who earlier disclosed their resolve to deal with Christians after Sallah celebrations
According to Alabo, “The Plateau State Police Command under the able leadership of CP Bassey Ewah, psc(++), FCAI, MSPSP has arrested a Social Media fake news peddler and Twenty-One (21) suspected members of ‘Sara-Suka,'” a cult syndicate notorious for terrorising innocent citizens within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
“It will be recalled that early this month, a viral Tiktok video posted via the handle @townboii1 was making rounds on Social Media. In the video, the individual was making certain inciting comments aimed at causing chaos within the State.
“Today, the Command is pleased to announce to the general public that the originator of the video, who is also the owner of the said Tiktok account, one Mohammed Shuaibu Adam, male, 16 years and his accomplice, one Auwal Ilyas Abdullahi, male, 19 years old, both of Rikkos, Jos have been arrested by gallant operatives of the Command. During our interview with the suspects, they confessed to the crime. The suspects will be charged to Court upon conclusion of investigation,” he stated.
The Police spokesman disclosed that as part of efforts put in place to curb crime and criminality and ensure a peaceful Ramadan celebration in Plateau State, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, had directed all Area Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders to heighten Patrol and Raid Operations within their areas of responsibility.
“Consequently, twenty-one (21) suspects were arrested at various locations within the metropolis. The suspects are currently undergoing a thorough investigation at the State CID and will soon be charged in court for onward prosecution,” PPRO stated.
The Public Relations Officer maintained that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah had earlier commended the gallant efforts of his officers who worked tirelessly on the field to ensure that the arrests were possible.
The CP further encourages his officers to intensify their efforts in ensuring the safety of Plateau citizens and flushed out all criminal elements out of the State while calling on the good people of Plateau State to remain calm and go about their daily activities without fear as the Command under his watch is capable and committed to ensuring their safety.
University of Jos Suspends Planned Examinations over Security Breach
The Management of the University of Jos has suspended the planned examination earlier scheduled for 30th and 31st March, 2026, following the unfortunate development at Angwan Rukuba, which happens to be one of the student-populated areas within the metropolitan city of Jos.
The Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Emmanuel Madugu, on behalf of the Registrar, noted that examinations scheduled to be held on Monday, 30th, and Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, were postponed with immediate effect as a new date will be communicated accordingly.
The statement reads, “In view of the late evening fatal attacks by unknown gunmen on residents of Angwan Rukuba (an area that hosts many staff and students of the University), and the consequential tensions it has generated in and around the area and environs, the Vice Chancellor has directed that:
“All examinations scheduled to hold on Monday 30th, and Tuesday 31st March, 2026 are postponed, and will be rescheduled accordingly.
“That members of the University community be advised to be very vigilant and extra careful with their movements (On and off Campus) with IMMEDIATE EFFECT. For emphasis, members are strongly advised to AVOID COMING OUT VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, and should REPORT IMMEDIATELY any sign or shadow of breach of the public peace to the University Security Division on 08035895323.”
Madugu reassured the student community that the University Management is actively liaising with the relevant Security agencies and monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the lives of members of the University community.
As such, “Further relevant updates will be communicated in due course. In fragile times like these, may our confidence in the LORD be steadfast,” he stated.
Plateau State Police Command
Meanwhile, the Plateau state Police Command has disclosed that only 12 people were killed from the Palm Sunday attacks, with only 10 male and 2 female respectively.
The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, in a statement on Monday, commiserated with the people of Angwan Rukuba Community of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, “the unfortunate attack which took place on March 29, 2026, claimed the lives of Twelve (12) persons – Ten (10) men and Two (2) women. As of this morning, an additional two corpses were found while our men were combing the bushes and trailing the suspects for possible arrests.”
CP Ewah narrated this, “At about 08:30pm on 29th March 2026, the Command received a distress call reporting that gunshot sounds were heard around Angwan Rukuba axis.
“Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, personally led a team of officers comprising members of the Command’s Management Team, PMF Squadron Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders within the Metropolis in conjunction with members of other security agencies to the scene of the incident to reduce tension and restore calm in the general area.
“As we speak, the Police and all other security agencies within the State have organized a joint operation and are currently combing the nearby bushes to ensure that the suspects are arrested or dislodged in accordance with the law. The corpses of the deceased have been evacuated to the mortuary for autopsy, and efforts are being intensified to arrest the culprits,” the Commissioner stated.
While the identities of the victims are still being verified, the CP assures families of the deceased that investigations are underway to track the perpetrators of this dastardly act and ensure that the law take its course.
The Police Commissioner further called on all citizens with accurate and useful information to contact the Command immediately through the following GSM numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844″, PPRO: 08060545670, PCB: 08067884627, 07068890355.”
The State Police Command Boss grieved with the Government of Plateau State and the people of Angwan Rukuba Community.
He added that the police has deployed manpower and operational assets to the area, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.
Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang speaking to the people at Angwan Rukuba Junction.
On his part, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has visited Angwan Rukuba Junction, where bodies of those killed were lying and sympathised with aggrieved families struggling to identify their loved ones.
He appealed to the youths to allow the bodies to be taken to the mortuary while urging leaders of the community to come forward and put their heads together with the government towards a lasting solution.
While the youths asked the government to lift the curfew, Governor Mutfwang assured that the suspect in the TikTok video has since been arrested, stressing that efforts are ongoing to track the perpetrators of the unfortunate Palm Sunday attacks.
