Witnesses report attackers in military‑style uniforms
By Masara Kim
JOS, Nigeria–Plateau State officials moved on Monday to contain mounting public anger after a Palm Sunday attack by terrorists killed at least 28 people in a predominantly Christian neighbourhood of north Jos, according to local leaders. The incident which marks the second Palm Sunday attack in a series has raised fears of sectarian violence in the state.
Several other victims were injured in the early evening attack on Angwan Rukuba, a densely populated suburb in Jos North Local Government Area, and were taken to hospital, TruthNigeria learned. Witnesses described a 15–20 minute shooting spree by gunmen riding motorcycles and wearing military-style uniforms, some of whom shouted “Allahu Akbar” while speaking Hausa and Fulfulde dialects.
The attack came days after American missionary Judd Saul warned publicly of possible terrorist attacks in central Nigeria ahead of Easter.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, speaking from atop an armoured personnel carrier, struggled to calm thousands of angry residents as bodies of victims lay on the roadway beneath a tense military presence.
“What has happened has pained us all,” Mutfwang said over a public address system.
“I came here not because I was asked to, but because I could not sleep last night,” the governor said. “I want you to know I did not spend the night in Jos, but I had to rush back because of what happened. I know you are in pain. I know you are grieving. I am also grieving. Please be patient, and let us listen to one another.”
His appeal, however, had little effect, as demonstrators demanded justice and direct engagement from authorities. Mutfwang had imposed a 48-hour curfew across the city effective midnight of the incident apparently for fears of reprisals.
The attackers struck a busy commercial area with a high concentration of traders and university students, TruthNigeria learned. Witnesses said between seven and ten gunmen arrived shortly before 8 p.m. in a minibus and on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately before fleeing into surrounding hills.
“They divided themselves into three groups,” said Samson Chiroma, a resident who witnessed the attack. “One group fired from the highway into crowds gathered for Palm Sunday celebrations and commercial activities. Another moved east, and the third went west into the neighbourhood,” Chiroma told TruthNigeria.
“All of them carried assault rifles,” Chiroma said. “Some also carried machetes, which they used on victims who did not die immediately,” Chiroma said, alleging some of the attackers were wearing army uniforms. According to him, Nigerian soldiers arrived only as the attackers were retreating but did not pursue them.
“Minutes after the attackers began withdrawing, soldiers arrived in two trucks and on motorcycles,” he said. “They could hear the gunshots and see the attackers retreating into the hills, but they refused to go after them. Instead, they fired at youths who were trying to pursue the attackers. One bullet nearly hit my leg,” he said.
Another resident, Gimbiya Adukumben, told TruthNigeria gunmen fired repeatedly into her compound, shattering windows and destroying furniture.
“I was inside my house when my grandson ran in saying there was shooting outside,” she said. “I couldn’t run, so we hid. They broke our fence and fired into the compound before moving on to the next house, where they killed many people,” she said.
Her neighbour, Dambaram Edward, said residents initially mistook the attackers for law enforcement officers.
“At first we thought they were NDLEA officers because they often patrol here and fire warning shots,” Edward said. “By the time we realised they were not, many people were already dead. They were riding around on motorcycles and shooting,” Edward narrated to TruthNigeria.
The Nigerian Army’s 3rd Division in Jos had not issued a public statement at the time of filing. A security operative who said he was caught in the chaos while returning from duty told TruthNigeria on background that gunfire was ongoing when he arrived.
“I had to take cover while taking calls because the shooting was indiscriminate,” said the operative who reported sighting soldiers.
During his visit, Governor Mutfwang vowed to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, while commending youths for not taking the law into their own hands.
However, youth leaders expressed deep frustration, citing repeated allegations of security failures and complicity in attacks across Plateau State.
“For how long shall we continue like this?” said Solomon Dalyop, a youth leader of the Berom ethnic group. “Each time this happens, all we hear are promises,” Dalyop gold TruthNigeria.
Dalyop said intelligence warnings had indicated that terrorists had infiltrated several parts of the state, including Jos North, Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu.
“The early warnings should have alerted security agencies to act,” he said. “Their silence and inaction encouraged what happened at Angwan Rukuba. If proactive steps had been taken, this would not have happened. That is why the youths are deeply pained,” he said.
Ezekiel Bini, Plateau State youth leader, echoed the sentiment.
“Enough of this nonsense,” Bini told TruthNigeria. “Every day our people are dying like chickens. We cannot take it anymore.”
Officials have not confirmed any death tolls yet. But Dalyop and Bini reported death toll from the attack is 28. TruthNigeria however counted 23 bodies both at the scene of the attack and the Jos University Teaching Hospital mortuary where they were later taken to. The youth leaders told TruthNigeria at least four other victims who died in other hospitals were kept in the nearest mortuaries.
Professor Chris Kwaja, a peace and conflict studies scholar, urged a dual approach focused on justice and reconciliation.
“There must be accountability alongside peace-building,” Kwaja said. “We must rise collectively to defeat terror and extremism. The population of peace-loving people is far greater than that of criminals,” Kwaja told TruthNigeria by telephone.
Masara Kim is a conflict reporter in Jos and a senior editor at TruthNigeria.
