New unrest erupts in Jos after easing of curfew leads to violent assaults by thugs

Tension has resurfaced in certain areas of Jos, Plateau State, following the state government's decision to relax a 48-hour curfew that was imposed after the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba, which occurred on Sunday and claimed the lives of at least 28 people.

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The curfew, initially implemented in Jos North Local Government Area, was eased by the Plateau State Government, with Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announcing that the curfew would now be in effect from 7am to 3pm daily, starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to allow residents to engage in normal activities during permitted hours.

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Despite the relaxation of the curfew, calm was not restored, as hoodlums and irate mobs attacked motorists and passers-by in several parts of the city, sparking fresh fear and panic among residents, with a young man being hacked to death by hoodlums while walking along the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site.

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Motorists in the Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangere areas also had their windscreens smashed, with the most affected areas including the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, among others.

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The situation led to the paralysis of business activities in the state capital, forcing many banks in the affected areas to shut down operations, with Joy Bature, a provision shop owner at Terminus Market, stating, "We are scared to open our shops, we don’t know what might happen."

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"The governor has done well by relaxing the curfew in the interest of the people, but it is unfortunate that some people have decided to take the law into their hands," Bature added, reflecting the concerns of many residents.

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The University of Jos Alumni Association expressed deep concern over the rising tension and threats affecting students, staff, and the broader university community in Jos North, urging the Plateau State Government and security agencies to deploy enhanced security presence across all University of Jos campuses.

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In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association requested round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response units to ensure that any potential threats are proactively addressed and swiftly neutralised.

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Shamaki advised students to stay indoors, remain vigilant, and promptly report any suspicious activity, as residents called for increased security deployment, especially around the University of Jos students’ village and hostels.

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A resident appealed, "There is an urgent need for security deployment to the University of Jos environment, precisely the students’ village hostel, we appeal to the security agencies to beam their searchlight around that axis."

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Another resident, Ishaku Mark, lamented the renewed tension, saying residents should concentrate on peace rather than escalate the situation, and urged the government to fish out and deal with those responsible for the fresh attack.

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In a related development, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum strongly condemned the "dastardly and heartless" killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba, describing Sunday’s incident as part of a disturbing pattern of violence ravaging several local government areas.

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The forum, in a press statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by its chairman, Ledak Dafer, and secretary, Niri Darong, extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured, calling on the state government to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors without delay.

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The lawyers also demanded an investigation into the alleged delayed response by nearby police formations during the assault, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the situation.