Tension escalated in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday as a group of aggrieved women disrupted a planned mass burial for victims of the recent Palm Sunday attack.
The women, clad in mourning attire and wielding leaves, took to the streets in protest, chanting solidarity songs and barricading the entrance of the church where the burial ceremony was scheduled to be held.
They were joined by some youths who supported the protest, effectively halting proceedings and drawing the attention of residents and security operatives.
The protesters alleged that military authorities had arrested three youths from the community in connection with ongoing investigations into the killings, a development they described as unjust and provocative.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the women insisted on the immediate and unconditional release of the detained youths before any burial rites could proceed.
“The women believe the arrests are unfair and are demanding that the boys be freed before the community can bury its dead,” the source said.
The situation, however, was later brought under control following the intervention of community and youth leaders, who appealed for calm and urged the protesters to allow the burial to go on.
It was gathered that normalcy gradually returned to the area as security presence increased and dialogue efforts intensified.
Recall that suspected gunmen had, on Palm Sunday night, attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba, killing no fewer than 28 persons and leaving several others injured.
The assailants were reported to have stormed the densely populated neighbourhood at about 7:30 pm, opening fire indiscriminately on residents in what authorities described as a coordinated assault.
During a condolence visit to Plateau State last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathised with affected families and directed security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.
He also announced plans for the deployment of over 5,000 Artificial Intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to strengthen surveillance and improve security response.
Similarly, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who earlier visited the affected community, condemned the killings, describing them as heinous and a calculated attempt to destabilise the state.
He assured residents that decisive measures had been taken to address security gaps, including convening an emergency Security Council meeting and reinforcing security architecture in vulnerable communities.
Mutfwang also commended residents for exercising restraint in the face of provocation, urging them to continue to cooperate with security agencies.
“Plateau will not succumb to the blackmail of terror,” the governor declared, while calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to restore peace.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest of the three youths were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the funeral rites for the victims later resumed under tight security, as calm returned to the troubled community.
