A new massacre against a Christian community shook the night of Palm Sunday in the state of Plateau, in central Nigeria, where between 26 and 40 people were killed in an armed attack, according to various local sources and human rights organizations, as reported by La Gaceta de la Iberósfera.
The assault took place in the Angwan Rukuba area, in Jos North, a predominantly Christian area near the University of Jos, when a group of armed men burst into a meeting point frequented by neighbors and opened fire indiscriminately.
An attack during Palm Sunday celebrations
The events occurred on the night of March 29, during the celebration of Palm Sunday, one of the most significant dates in the Christian liturgical calendar. Witnesses reported that the attackers, who were traveling on motorcycles and wearing camouflage clothing, targeted both residential areas and public spaces, leaving dozens of victims in their wake.
Among the deceased are women, children, and university students. The attack caused scenes of panic, with the injured rushed to nearby hospitals while the attackers fled to mountainous areas.
Although the Police initially reported a lower number of victims, the toll has been increasing as counting efforts progress and care is provided to the most seriously injured.
Suspicions about Fulani militias and recurrent violence
Local residents and Christian organizations attribute the attack to Fulani militias or jihadist groups active in the region, within the framework of a persistent conflict that combines ethnic, territorial, and religious factors.
Although authorities insist on presenting these episodes as acts of generalized banditry, various international organizations point out that there is a pattern of recurrent attacks against Christian communities in the so-called Middle Belt of Nigeria.
Nigeria is considered by several NGOs as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians, with thousands of victims in recent years from clashes and targeted attacks.
Curfew and tension in the area
Following the massacre, the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, visited the area and described the attack as “barbaric and unjustified.” He also announced the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in the Jos North area to contain the situation and facilitate security operations.
The state government committed to covering the medical expenses of the injured and the funerals of the victims, while security forces intensified their presence in the area.
Protests and demands for protection
The day after the attack, hundreds of residents took to the streets to protest and demand greater protection in the face of the repetition of violent episodes in the region. The demonstrations took place despite the restrictions imposed by the curfew.
The Archdiocese of Jos and various organizations have denounced the incident as a targeted attack against Christians on a particularly symbolic date, demanding a more forceful response from the authorities.
The investigation into the attack is ongoing, and for the moment, no arrests have been confirmed.