Chaos in Jos as women stage protest over mass burial of attack victims, demands release of arrested youths

Tension rose on Tuesday in Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State as women staged a protest to stop the planned mass burial of victims of the Palm Sunday attack by gunmen.

The women, carrying leaves and chanting songs, marched through the area and blocked the entrance of the church where the burial ceremony was to take place.

They were joined by some youths, bringing activities in the area to a standstill.

The protesters said their action was driven by claims that military authorities had arrested three youths from the community in connection with the investigation into the killings.

They insisted that the issue must be addressed before any burial of the victims is carried out.

A source in the community told our correspondent that the women were demanding the unconditional release of the arrested youths before any burial could take place.

It took the intervention of youth leaders to calm the situation.

It will be recalled that unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba on Palm Sunday night, killing over 28 people and injuring several others.

The attackers stormed the densely populated community around 7:30pm and opened fire indiscriminately on residents.

President Bola Tinubu, who visited Plateau State last week following the attack, commiserated with the victims’ families and directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

He also ordered the installation of over 5,000 Artificial Intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to enhance 24-hour surveillance and combat insecurity.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who had earlier visited the scene, vowed that justice would be served and the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

He described the attack as a heinous and well-orchestrated act aimed at destabilising the state.

In a statewide broadcast and during stakeholder engagements, Governor Mutfwang assured residents that his administration had taken swift and decisive actions, including convening a Security Council meeting to address lapses and strengthening security measures across vulnerable areas.

He commended the people of Angwan Rukuba and Plateau State for exercising restraint and refusing to retaliate despite the provocation.

The governor further declared that Plateau State would not bow to the blackmail of terror.

Mutfwang also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies and the government in the fight against insecurity, reaffirming his commitment to restoring lasting peace and unity in the state.

Efforts to get the reaction of security agencies on the arrest of the three youths and the ongoing tension proved abortive as at press time.

Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the community and the funeral mass for the victims is ongoing.

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