A planned funeral service for the victims of the recent massacre in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, nearly descended into further violence on Tuesday. The ceremony was disrupted by a massive protest from community members demanding the release of three local youths detained by security forces following the attack.
The tension centered around the ECWA Gospel Church in Angwan Rukuba, where families had gathered to mourn the victims of the March 29 “Palm Sunday” attack. The initial violence, which claimed at least 28 lives (with some reports suggesting up to 33), occurred when gunmen on motorcycles stormed the Gari Yawaye area, firing indiscriminately at residents returning from church and local traders.
The funeral protest was ignited by the arrest of three young men from the neighborhood. While security agencies reportedly alleged the youths were involved in criminal activity, the community insisted the trio were “patriotic volunteers” who had taken up arms solely to defend their homes when the primary attack began.
“How will they come and kill us and still capture our boys, saying they are bandits? For what reason?” one female protester shouted as the crowd blocked the entrance to the church. “This is wickedness of the highest level. If they don’t bring those boys, this funeral will not take place.”
For several hours, grieving families and protesters blocked the gates, preventing the arrival of the caskets and halting the planned mass burial. The situation became increasingly volatile as youth groups and women carrying placards clashed verbally with security operatives stationed to maintain order during the service.
The standoff was eventually resolved when military commanders at the scene, acting on orders to prevent a total breakdown of law and order, released the three detained youths to their community leaders. The move immediately de-escalated the situation, allowing the suspects to reunite with their families and the funeral service to proceed.
The massacre has placed intense pressure on the Plateau State government and federal authorities. Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who previously visited the injured and condemned the “barbaric” act, had promised the victims a “befitting and dignified” burial. However, the distrust between the local populace and security agencies remains high, especially after reports surfaced that intelligence about the movement of terrorist cells into the state had been shared weeks before the Palm Sunday raid.
In the aftermath of the attack, President Bola Tinubu also visited Jos, meeting with grieving families at the Yakubu Gowon Airport. During the visit, he announced the deployment of an AI-enabled digital camera network to bolster security in the state capital.
As the funeral service eventually concluded late Tuesday afternoon, the Angwan Rukuba community remained under a heavy security watch. While the immediate crisis was averted by the release of the youths, residents continue to call for a permanent security outpost within the township to prevent a recurrence of the violence that turned their Holy Week into a period of national mourning.
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