Suspected Islamic terrorists storm Angwan Rukuba in Jos, killing over 40 people in a Palm Sunday attack in Jos, North Plateau State
40+
Feared Dead
48h
Curfew Imposed
26
Bodies Counted
At least 40 people are feared dead after suspected Islamic terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, on the night of Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026.
The assault began around 7:50 p.m., plunging residents into chaos as sustained gunfire erupted through the neighborhood.
By Monday morning, journalists on the ground had counted 26 bodies in the Angwan Rukuba area alone, with casualty figures from other affected locations still being confirmed.
The attack struck without warning. Eyewitnesses say the assailants stormed the community and opened fire on unsuspecting residents before fleeing into the night.
Security forces, including the Nigerian Army, arrived at the scene approximately one hour later — around 8:45 p.m. — to restore order and secure the perimeter.
“This attack was barbaric and wholly unprovoked. Security agencies are actively on the trail of the perpetrators, and we will ensure justice is served.” — Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Plateau State
Curfew declared as State Government responds
In a swift response to prevent further breakdown of law and order, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North, effective from midnight on March 29 through April 1, 2026.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang condemned the killings in unequivocal terms, describing the assault as barbaric and unprovoked.
Official Advisory: Residents of Jos North are urged to remain indoors, stay calm, and cooperate fully with security agencies. Anyone with useful information is encouraged to contact local security authorities immediately.
Chaos, flight, and an uncertain death toll
The full extent of the carnage remains unclear. During the attack, some of the injured were evacuated by residents before security forces arrived, while others were transported directly to the mortuary.
Our team on the ground confirmed 26 corpses in Angwan Rukuba on Monday morning; casualties from surrounding affected locations have yet to be fully ascertained.
“We ran when the shooting started,” recounted one resident who escaped with his family. “We did not know how many had fallen until we came back in the morning.”
The community, visibly traumatized, remains on edge despite the military presence. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as security operations continue.
Pattern of violence raises deeper concerns
The Angwan Rukuba attack is the latest in a troubling series of violent incidents on the Plateau. Security analysts warn that the timing, targeting a community on a major Christian religious night, suggests a calculated attempt to inflame tensions.
“When attacks happen on symbolic occasions, they are rarely random,” said an Abuja-based security analyst familiar with the region. “The intent is provocation, and the response must be measured.”
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the attackers or their motive. Nevertheless, the governor’s assurance that security agencies are actively pursuing the perpetrators signals that investigations are underway at the highest levels.
What happens next
The 48-hour curfew is set to lift on April 1, 2026, though analysts caution that the risk of retaliatory violence remains real.
The Plateau State Government, security agencies, and community leaders face the urgent challenge of preventing further escalation while delivering justice to the victims’ families.
The coming days will test the capacity of the state’s institutions to contain grief, anger, and the cycle of violence that has long haunted the region.
