Tension resurfaced in parts of Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday after the state government relaxed a 48-hour curfew imposed following the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba.
The curfew was initially enforced in Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba on Sunday, killing at least 28 people.
In a revised directive, the Plateau State Government eased the restriction, allowing movement between 7am and 3pm daily starting Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The adjustment, according to the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, was meant to enable residents to carry out daily activities within permitted hours.
However, the relaxation did not restore calm in the area. Instead, reports indicated renewed violence as hoodlums and angry mobs attacked motorists and pedestrians across several parts of the city, heightening fear among residents.
A young man was reportedly killed by hoodlums while walking along the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site, according to eyewitness accounts. Several vehicles around Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangere areas also had their windscreens destroyed.
The worst-hit locations included the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, among others.
The unrest brought economic activities to a standstill, forcing some banks within affected areas to shut down operations as residents stayed indoors.
“We are scared to open our shops. We don’t know what might happen,” said Joy Bature, a provision store owner at Terminus Market.
While acknowledging the government’s decision to relax the curfew, she lamented that some individuals had chosen to take advantage of the situation to cause further chaos.
The University of Jos Alumni Association also expressed concern over rising insecurity affecting students, staff, and surrounding communities. It urged the government and security agencies to deploy stronger security presence across campuses, student hostels, and major access roads.
The association called for round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-driven surveillance, and rapid response operations to prevent further attacks. It also advised students to remain indoors, stay alert, and report suspicious movements.
Residents similarly appealed for increased security deployment, particularly around student hostels and surrounding areas.
One resident, Ishaku Mark, urged calm and called on authorities to arrest those behind the renewed violence, stressing the need to prioritise peace.
Meanwhile, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum condemned the killings in Angwan Rukuba, describing the attack as “dastardly and heartless.”
In a statement signed by Chairman Ledak Dafer and Secretary Niri Darong, the forum said the incident reflects a worrying pattern of violence across several local government areas, including Wase, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa, and Jos North.
The lawyers condoled with bereaved families, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and urged the government to swiftly identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible, including alleged sponsors.
They also called for an investigation into claims of delayed response by nearby police units during the attack.
