Jos, Plateau State — Tragedy struck the Angwan Rukuba community of Jos on Sunday night after gunmen launched a deadly assault that left more than 40 Christians feared dead and several others injured.
The attack, which residents have described as one of the most brutal incidents in recent months, happened around 7:50 p.m. on March 29, 2026, as worshippers gathered to mark Palm Sunday — a significant day in the Christian calendar commemorating the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, believed to be heavily armed militants, stormed the area and began shooting sporadically at residents and worshippers. Panic spread quickly across the community as people scrambled for safety.
Residents who spoke to reporters said the attackers arrived wearing camouflage uniforms and reportedly shouted religious slogans during the assault. Several houses and properties were also set ablaze during the attack, forcing many families to flee their homes.
Local sources confirmed that more than 40 people lost their lives, while many others sustained gunshot wounds and burns. Emergency responders and volunteers rushed victims to nearby hospitals, where medical personnel are currently battling to save the injured. Health facilities in the area are said to be struggling to cope with the influx of casualties.
One survivor, who asked not to be named, described the scene as “chaotic and terrifying,” saying many residents ran into nearby bushes and forests to escape the gunfire.
The incident has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with many citizens and civil society organisations condemning the killings and calling for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Officials of the Plateau State Government have condemned the attack, describing it as senseless violence against innocent civilians. Authorities say security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and the police, have begun operations to track down those responsible.
So far, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, and no arrests have been announced.
Religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities have also reacted with grief and concern, urging calm while calling for unity and collective efforts to stop violent extremism.
International organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union, have similarly condemned the killings and called on Nigerian authorities to ensure those behind the attack are brought to justice.
The latest tragedy has again raised concerns about persistent insecurity in parts of northern and central Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly suffered attacks linked to armed groups and sectarian tensions. Residents say urgent and decisive action is needed to prevent further bloodshed.
