A coordinated attack by gunmen wearing National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uniforms has left at least 12 people dead and many others injured in the Angwan Rukuba community of Jos North, Plateau State.
The assault, which took place around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026, targeted the Gari Ya Waye suburb. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, numbering over 20 and riding motorcycles, initially blended into the community—even purchasing items from a local trader—before opening fire sporadically on residents.
Immediate Government and Security Response
In the wake of the “barbaric and unprovoked” attack, the Plateau State Government has taken several emergency measures:
- 48-Hour Curfew: A total curfew has been imposed on the Jos North Local Government Area, effective from 12:00 midnight on March 29 until Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
- Military Mobilization: Troops from Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Residents have noted, however, that security forces arrived nearly an hour after the gunmen had fled.
- Official Condemnation: Governor Caleb Mutfwang has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and urged citizens to remain calm while providing actionable intelligence to the authorities.
Impact on the University of Jos
Because Angwan Rukuba is a major residential hub for university personnel and students, the institution has faced immediate disruption:
- Exams Postponed: The University of Jos management has postponed all examinations originally scheduled for Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Security Advisory: Students and staff have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement within the Jos North axis during the curfew period.
Growing Pattern of Violence
This tragedy marks a significant escalation in urban violence in Jos. Just days prior, on March 25, youths in the state capital protested the deaths of 14 soldiers and 8 civilian guards killed in an ambush in Kanam LGA. The use of official uniforms by the attackers has raised serious concerns regarding the infiltration of security agencies or the sophisticated nature of the criminal groups operating in the region.
The NDLEA has not yet issued an official statement regarding the unauthorized use of its uniforms by the assailants.
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