By TIMOTHY JOSEPH
On the sacred evening of Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026—a day meant for peace, reflection and hope—the Angwan Rukuba community was plunged into horror. Innocent men, women and children were brutally attacked in cold blood.
Gunshots echoed through the night as defenseless residents fled for their lives, only to be cut down with bullets. Over 29 precious lives have been lost, and many others lie wounded in hospitals, battling for survival.
This was not just an attack; it was a tragedy that tore families apart, silenced dreams and left a community drowning in grief and anguish. A day meant for prayers and hope became a day of fear, bloodshed and mourning.
Families who should have returned home from worship in peace were thrown into sorrow, and communities that should have been united in faith were left shattered by violence. No cause, grievance, or justification can ever excuse such barbarity against innocent people.
Governor Mutfwang responds swiftly
Following the tragic incident, the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, visited Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area to condole with the community and witness the aftermath firsthand.
He described the incident as “painful, tragic, and unacceptable,” expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and sympathising with residents. He assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be tracked down and brought to justice, emphasising that Angwan Rukuba, home to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds across Plateau State, suffered a pain that affected all.
Governor Mutfwang appealed for calm, particularly among the youth, urging residents to resist taking the law into their own hands.Providing updates on security efforts, he revealed that one suspect linked to prior threats on social media had already been arrested, with efforts ongoing to apprehend others.
The governor affirmed that both state and federal authorities, including the president, were fully engaged and committed to ensuring justice.
Plateau’s escalating violence
After a lengthy period of peace and harmony that fostered socio-economic activities in Jos, Plateau State has experienced multiple violent attacks in recent months. In January, reprisal attacks in Jol community, Riyom Local Government Area, and Gero in Gyel District, Jos South LGA, killed at least three people. On February 23, armed bandits attacked Jol community and Dooruwa Babuje in Riyom LGA, killing at least ten.
On March 13, a joint patrol team of vigilantes and conventional security personnel was ambushed by heavily armed terrorists near Wanka while moving through Garaga Kyaram and surrounding communities in Kanam LGA.
Barely 48 hours after President Tinubu visited to commiserate with Plateau residents over the Angwan Rukuba killings, another attack occurred on April 3 at about 7 PM, when suspected militia herdsmen ambushed a group returning home from Gero on a motorbike, killing three and injuring one.
Two days later, on April 5, armed Fulani terrorists invaded Pwomol Village in Heipang District, Barkin Ladi LGA, marking the second attack on the community within a week. Two youth keeping vigil were killed, and another sustained critical injuries.
During the incident, one of the attackers, simply identified as Suleman from Fass community in Riyom LGA, was captured alive and is now in the custody of security operatives at Sector 4, Barkin Ladi.Chairman of the Berom Moulders Association, Barr. Solomon Dalyop, condemned the killings, describing them as worsening insecurity in the state.
He warned that the situation might degenerate further if decisive action was not taken, alleging that armed groups had taken over parts of the bush and lamenting the lack of security presence in affected communities.The repeated occurrence of these killings paints a troubling picture of impunity. When perpetrators evade justice, it sends a dangerous signal that human life is expendable.
Citizens have begun to lose faith in the ability of the state to protect them, leaving communities in constant fear. Protecting lives and property is the most fundamental responsibility of government, and the ongoing loss of innocent lives demands urgent, deliberate and transparent actions.
Urgent measures needed to restore peace
Governments at both state and federal levels must swiftly identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the Palm Sunday and other recent attacks. Security presence must be strengthened in vulnerable communities and other flashpoints across the country. Intelligence gathering must be improved, and response mechanisms made proactive.
The directive by President Tinubu to install 5,000 AI CCTV cameras is a step in the right direction, potentially curtailing insecurity when strategically deployed. Governor Mutfwang’s swift response to visit the scene and impose a curfew is commendable, as it helped de-escalate tension.
Yet, beyond assurances, victims and affected families deserve justice, support and tangible reassurances that their suffering will not be ignored.Peacebuilding efforts, including dialogue and community engagement, cannot succeed without credible security enforcement.
Inaction or failure to act on warning signs often contributes to repeated violence. Prior to the Angwan Rukuba attack, viral videos circulated on social media showing individuals threatening attacks on Christian communities after Sallah celebrations.
These warnings, whether local or digital, should have been treated seriously, and arrests or interrogations might have prevented the tragedy.The killings in Plateau State over the years have created an atmosphere of fear, pain and doubt, hampering movement and progress across the northern states.
Security agencies, in collaboration with state governments, must collectively work to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. This requires clear priorities, effective public communication and decisive actions at the right time.
Citizens must remain vigilant, providing timely and credible information to aid security agencies in protecting communities.The ongoing process for the creation of state police initiated by President Tinubu is timely and must be executed expeditiously.
A state policing system, aligned with global standards, will empower governors to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and other criminal activities effectively.
It will also educate the public on early warning signs of insecurity and enable emergency response drills, ensuring civilians can recognize and report suspicious activities promptly.