Jos, Plateau State – Hundreds of residents in Plateau State defied a state-imposed curfew on Monday morning, taking to the streets in a passionate protest against the deadly Palm Sunday attack that claimed numerous lives in Jos North Local Government Area.
The demonstration began at Anguwan Rukuba, the very community targeted during the Sunday evening assault, and quickly drew widespread attention on social media, with videos showing residents chanting, waving placards, and calling on authorities to take urgent action to prevent further bloodshed.
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, voicing the frustration of many in the area.
Eyewitnesses recalled the horrifying circumstances of the attack, which reportedly took place around 8 p.m. under the cover of darkness caused by a power outage.
The assailants, suspected to be gunmen in military uniforms, fired indiscriminately in what residents described as a busy market area, leaving several injured and many fleeing for their lives.
Yesterday around 7 to 8 pm, there was no light. They were firing straight on rapid. People had to run for their lives, a local resident recounted.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with citizens questioning the effectiveness of security measures in Plateau State. Social media user Kaptain Kush wrote: 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, Oyindamola, questioned the government’s ability to protect citizens:
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?
The protest, which began peacefully, was later disrupted when operatives of the Nigeria Police Force moved in to disperse the crowd.
Eyewitnesses reported that officers chased protesters and prepared to fire tear gas, prompting residents to scatter.
People are now running because the police want to shoot at us. They want to fire teargas,” one eyewitness said.
Despite the confrontation, protesters remained vocal about the need for long-term security solutions rather than temporary curfews.
Following the attack, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, confirmed the measure in a statement on Sunday, citing the tragic loss of lives in Anguwan Rukuba.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack as barbaric and unprovoked, assuring residents that security agencies had been mobilized to apprehend those responsible and restore peace to the area.
Local residents emphasized that curfews alone are insufficient to tackle the persistent violence. Many called for:
- Improved intelligence and early-warning systems to prevent attacks before they occur
- Increased community policing and security patrols
- Engagement with local leaders to address underlying social tensions contributing to insecurity
Eyewitnesses and survivors described the psychological toll of living under constant threat. Families recounted sleepless nights, fear for children, and losses in both lives and property.
We can’t sleep at night. We hear gunshots and explosions. Children are terrified. Something must be done before more lives are lost, said one protester.
The attack has also drawn attention from national media and civil society groups, calling for urgent federal intervention to secure Plateau communities and protect innocent lives.
