Protest erupts in Plateau over arrests after Angwan Rukuba attack
The incident occurred at an ECWA church in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North, where mourners had gathered to honour some of those killed in the March 29 attack. The attack, carried out by gunmen, left at least 28 people dead and several others injured, sparking outrage both locally and on social media.
In response to the violence, the Plateau State government imposed a 48-hour curfew across the area to restore order.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric and unprovoked.” During a visit to the affected community on March 30, he assured residents that victims would not be buried in a mass grave. Instead, he pledged that each individual would receive a dignified burial in collaboration with their families.
Despite those assurances, tensions resurfaced during Tuesday’s funeral service for seven victims. A group of youths interrupted the proceedings, protesting the alleged arrest of three young men by security operatives. According to the demonstrators, the detained individuals were defending their community during the нападение, not participating in it.
The protesters, some carrying placards, demanded the immediate release of the detainees before the funeral could continue.
Eyewitness accounts captured in a video circulating online showed members of the crowd expressing anger and frustration, questioning why community members were being treated as suspects after suffering losses.
As of the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether the funeral would proceed, with emotions running high and the atmosphere in the community described as tense and volatile.
Tension erupted on Tuesday in Plateau State as a funeral service for victims of a recent attack in the Angwan Rukuba community was disrupted by protesting youths.
The incident occurred at an ECWA church in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North, where mourners had gathered to honour some of those killed in the March 29 нападение. The attack, carried out by gunmen, left at least 28 people dead and several others injured, sparking outrage both locally and on social media.
In response to the violence, the Plateau State government imposed a 48-hour curfew across the area to restore order.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric and unprovoked.” During a visit to the affected community on March 30, he assured residents that victims would not be buried in a mass grave. Instead, he pledged that each individual would receive a dignified burial in collaboration with their families.
Despite those assurances, tensions resurfaced during Tuesday’s funeral service for seven victims. A group of youths interrupted the proceedings, protesting the alleged arrest of three young men by security operatives. According to the demonstrators, the detained individuals were defending their community during the нападение, not participating in it.
The protesters, some carrying placards, demanded the immediate release of the detainees before the funeral could continue.
Eyewitness accounts captured in a video circulating online showed members of the crowd expressing anger and frustration, questioning why community members were being treated as suspects after suffering losses.
As of the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether the funeral would proceed, with emotions running high and the atmosphere in the community described as tense and volatile.
