According to a report by the Punch on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, a burial ceremony for victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, was interrupted on Tuesday as women and youths staged a protest, blocking access to the church and demanding the release of detained community members.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday, has now claimed at least 33 lives following the death of additional victims who had been receiving treatment in hospital. Residents expressed anger over the arrest of three local youths, insisting that the authorities were targeting the wrong individuals instead of pursuing the real perpetrators.
The protesters, carrying leaves and chanting, prevented the burial from taking place, escalating tension in the community and reflecting growing frustration over recurring violence and delays in justice. One of the protesters maintained, “Those arrested by soldiers are innocent. They are not the ones who carried out the killings,” as calls intensified for their release.
The situation grew more tense when several bodies of the victims were brought to the church for burial, with demonstrators locking the entrance and refusing to allow proceedings to continue.
Relief came when the three detained youths were eventually released by authorities, leading to jubilation among residents. Following their release, the protesters allowed the burial to proceed, and the victims were taken for interment.
At the funeral, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Jeremiah Satmark, confirmed that the death toll had risen from 28 to 33. He assured families that the government was working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice, while urging residents to remain calm and vigilant.
Religious and community leaders also called for unity and lasting solutions to the persistent violence in the state, stressing that justice remains essential for peace to be restored.
The attack, carried out by suspected bandits, occurred on Palm Sunday night when gunmen stormed the community and opened fire on residents, leaving many dead and others injured.
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