Plateau Attack: Women Block Mass Burial in Jos, Demand Release of Detained Youths

Women in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday protested against the planned mass burial of victims of the recent Palm Sunday attack, demanding the release of three arrested youths.

The demonstrators, joined by some youths, carried leaves and sang protest songs as they blocked access to the church venue for the burial, heightening tensions in the community.

According to a source, the protest was triggered by allegations that military authorities had detained three local youths in connection with the attack, with the women insisting they must be freed before any burial proceeds.

The standoff was later resolved after youth leaders intervened to restore calm.

The protest comes in the wake of a deadly attack on the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba, where gunmen suspected to be bandits killed over 28 people and injured many others after launching an evening assault on Palm Sunday.

Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu visited the state, sympathised with affected families, and ordered security agencies to track down the attackers. He also approved the installation of more than 5,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras to enhance surveillance.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attack as a calculated attempt to destabilise Plateau State, pledging that justice would be served.

He said his administration had taken swift action, including holding a Security Council meeting and strengthening security operations across vulnerable communities.

The governor also praised residents for not retaliating and urged continued collaboration with security agencies to restore peace.

Attempts to get official reactions from security authorities regarding the alleged arrests were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Normalcy has since been restored in the area, while funeral rites for the victims are currently ongoing.

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