By Paul Joseph
Tension gripped parts of Plateau State on Monday as hundreds of angry residents poured into the streets of Jos North, defying a government-imposed curfew to protest a deadly Palm Sunday attack that left several people dead and many others injured.
The protest, which erupted in Anguwan Rukuba, followed a violent assault on Sunday evening when gunmen reportedly invaded the community and opened fire on unsuspecting residents in a busy area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers, suspected to be terrorists, arrived around 8 p.m. dressed in military uniforms and began shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Survivors and community members, visibly shaken and enraged, demanded immediate and decisive action from authorities, insisting that curfews alone cannot halt the cycle of violence.
Protesters chanted in defiance, accusing security agencies of failing in their responsibility to safeguard lives and property.
The situation escalated as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force moved in to disperse the crowd. Reports from the scene indicated that tear gas was imminent, triggering panic as protesters scrambled to escape.
The Plateau State government had earlier imposed a 48-hour curfew in a bid to restore order following the attack. Governor Caleb Mutfwang strongly condemned the killings, assuring residents that those behind the violence would be tracked down and prosecuted.
However, Monday’s protest underscores growing frustration among residents, who say the repeated attacks have become unbearable. Many are calling for more proactive security measures, stressing that protection not restrictions remains their most urgent need.
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