Tension heightened in Jos on Tuesday as angry women in the Angwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area staged a protest to stop the planned mass burial of victims of the Palm Sunday attack.
- +Jos women halt mass burial, demand release of arrested youths
The women, carrying leaves and chanting songs, were joined by some youths as they blocked the entrance to the church where the burial ceremony was scheduled to take place.
The women, carrying leaves and chanting songs, were joined by some youths as they blocked the entrance to the church where the burial ceremony was scheduled to take place.
The protesters said their action was triggered by the alleged arrest of three youths from the community by military authorities in connection with investigations into the killings.
A community source disclosed that the women demanded the unconditional release of the arrested youths before any burial of the victims could proceed.
The situation, which created tension in the area, was later brought under control following the intervention of community youth leaders.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from security agencies on the arrest of the three youths were unsuccessful as of press time. Normalcy has since returned to the community, while the funeral mass for the victims went on.
It would be recalled that gunmen attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba on Palm Sunday night, killing more than 28 persons and injuring several others.
The attackers reportedly invaded the densely populated community at about 7:30 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on residents.
During a recent visit to Plateau State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu commiserated with the families of the victims and directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
He also ordered the installation of over 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras across the state to strengthen surveillance and improve security.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who earlier visited the affected community, assured residents that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and vowed that the state would not succumb to acts of terror.
He further urged residents, traditional rulers and religious leaders to work closely with security agencies to restore lasting peace.
