Grief gave way to anger in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday as a funeral for victims of a recent attack erupted into a protest, with residents demanding justice and accountability.
The solemn gathering quickly turned tense when women and youths assembled outside the church, disrupting funeral proceedings and voicing outrage over what they described as persistent violence and a lack of meaningful action by authorities.
Protesters rejected the arrest of some individuals earlier linked to the attack, insisting that those detained were not responsible for the killings. Their demonstration reflected deeper frustrations within the community, where repeated attacks have fueled a growing sense of insecurity and distrust in the justice process.
As tensions escalated, the Plateau State Government confirmed that the death toll from the attack had risen to 33, following the deaths of additional victims who had been receiving treatment in hospital.
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Chief of Staff to the Governor, Jeremiah Satmak, said the government was intensifying efforts to identify those behind the violence and restore calm to the affected community.
“Government is working tirelessly to unravel the motive behind these killings and bring an end to the violence on the Plateau. This attack was meant to break our unity, but it will not succeed,” Satmak said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and prayerful, while also announcing the release of three youths who had been earlier detained in connection with the incident—one of the key demands raised by the protesters.
Religious leaders, however, warned that without justice, peace would remain fragile. Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State, Rev. Gomwalk Dunkan, emphasized the need for accountability.
“There can be no peace without justice. Government must ensure that justice is served for lasting peace to return,” he said.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State, where communities have repeatedly called for stronger security measures and swift prosecution of perpetrators to prevent further bloodshed.
