No fewer than 26 persons have been confirmed dead following a deadly Sunday night attack on Angwan Rukuba, a community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bassey Ewah, disclosed this while speaking during a condolence visit by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the affected community on Monday. He added that three other persons sustained injuries in the incident.
According to the Police Commissioner, gunmen, reportedly about 10 in number, stormed the area in a commando-style operation around 7:30pm on Sunday, opening fire on residents who were either seated or standing by the roadside.
The attackers were said to have arrived in a Sharon bus before unleashing the assault.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, the Commissioner of Police assured residents that security agencies were committed to tracking down and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the Angwan Rukuba community on Monday, announced that the state government would not allow a mass burial for victims of the attack.
In a statement issued by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Relations to the Governor, Mutfwang promised that the government would give a befitting burial to every victim.
“This is a painful moment for all of us. Angwan Rukuba is a community that accommodates people from diverse ethnic backgrounds across Plateau State,” the governor was quoted as saying.
“Therefore, this is not the pain of a few — it is the pain of all of us.”
“We will not allow mass burial. Government will work closely with the families to give each victim a befitting burial. They did not deserve to die in such a manner.”
The governor described the incident as painful, tragic, and unacceptable, assuring that the perpetrators of the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.
Mutfwang said the state government would take full responsibility for the medical treatment of all injured victims until full recovery.
He appealed for calm, particularly among the youth, urging residents to resist any temptation to take the law into their own hands.
“The greatest honour we can give to the departed is to remain peaceful and allow due process to take its course,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that one suspect linked to prior threats had already been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other perpetrators.
He assured citizens that both the state and federal authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, are fully engaged and committed to ensuring justice is served.
“The governor directed that the bodies of the deceased be evacuated to the mortuary, while consultations continue with families and stakeholders towards ensuring justice and lasting peace in the area,” the statement read.
Mutfwang subsequently visited victims receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he offered prayers for their speedy and full recovery.
During the governor’s visit, Samson Chiroma, one of the community leaders, while recounting the attack, alleged that the assailants appeared in military-style attire.
He called on government to act swiftly, ensure justice for the victims, and facilitate proper burial arrangements, noting that the community remains in deep mourning.
