VIDEO: Protest Erupts in Plateau at Funeral of Slain Victims Over Arrest of Youths as ‘Bandits’
Protesters on Tuesday clashed with security operatives at the ECWA Gospel Church in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State, disrupting the funeral service for seven victims of recent terrorist attacks.
The demonstrators, largely women and children, alleged that three youths had been arrested despite defending their community during the violence. They called for their immediate release, insisting that “those arrested are not bandits.”
The situation escalated as angry youths and women blocked the church entrance, preventing mourners from accessing the venue for the planned mass burial.
The protest comes barely a week after a wave of violence rocked the area. On March 29, 2026, residents of Gari Ya Waye, a settlement in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, were attacked by heavily armed gunmen.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, numbering over 20, stormed the community between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately. At least 28 people were killed. Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the incident as a “senseless attack on law-abiding citizens.”
Several survivors, many with serious injuries, were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Reacting to the attack, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, condemned the violence and ordered the deployment of security personnel to restore calm and apprehend those responsible. He also sympathised with affected residents, describing the incident as “unfortunate.”
As part of response efforts, the IGP deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu Nadada, to the state “to assess the security situation, coordinate ongoing operations, and strengthen the existing security architecture.”
He added that security measures had been reinforced through “the deployment of additional tactical teams, Police Mobile Force units, and intelligence operatives, working alongside other security agencies to address the situation and forestall any further breakdown of law and order across the state.”
The funeral, meant to honour the victims and foster unity within the community, was ultimately overshadowed by protests, tension, and fear, underscoring the persistent insecurity in Angwan Rukuba.
Watch video here: https://x.com/TheICIR/status/2041469595085656462?s=20
