A mass burial for victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, turned into a protest on Tuesday as women and youths blocked the church entrance, demanding the release of community members previously detained in connection with the killings.
The attack, which occurred last Sunday, claimed at least 33 lives after some victims died in hospital from injuries sustained during the incident. Residents expressed anger over what they described as the wrongful arrest of three local youths, insisting that authorities pursue the real perpetrators.
Protesters carried leaves, sang songs, and refused to allow the burial to proceed until their demands were met, temporarily halting proceedings and highlighting frustrations over recurring violence and perceived delays in justice. One protester, Mathew Bulus, said, “Those arrested by soldiers are innocent. They are not the ones who carried out the killings. They should go after the perpetrators and leave our youths alone.”
Tension eased after the three youths were confirmed released and presented to community leaders, allowing the victims’ corpses to be moved for interment.
At the funeral, Jeremiah Satmark, Chief of Staff to the Governor Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 33, with some victims dying in hospital. He assured families that the government is committed to identifying and bringing the perpetrators to justice, urging residents to remain vigilant and prayerful.
Rev. Gomwalk Dunkan, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State chapter, called for serious discussions among stakeholders to find lasting solutions to attacks on Christians, stressing that “there can be no peace without justice.”
Other speakers, including Dr. Joyce Sanda, Director-General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and former state House of Assembly Speaker Titus Alams, urged calm and called on security agencies to strengthen measures to prevent future attacks.
The Palm Sunday attack saw gunmen, suspected to be bandits, storm Angwan Rukuba and Gari Ya Waye around 8 pm, opening fire on residents, killing over 28 people instantly and injuring others. Many victims had been buried by their families prior to Tuesday’s service.
Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State, consoling families and directing security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators. He also ordered the installation of more than 5,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to enhance surveillance. Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attack as a deliberate, heinous act aimed at destabilising the state, promising that justice would be served.
