Panic and tension have gripped residents of Plateau State following a deadly Sunday night attack on the Agwan Rukuba community in the Jos North Local Government Area.
Gunmen, reportedly riding on motorcycles, stormed the area around 7:30 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on residents who were going about their normal activities. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the sudden assault sent people fleeing for safety as chaos engulfed the community.
While the exact number of casualties remains unclear as of press time, fears are mounting that several lives may have been lost. Residents were still attempting to identify victims and assess the scale of the damage.
Shortly after the attack, the assailants reportedly fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of fear and confusion.
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In a swift but troubling turn of events, angry youths in the area took to the streets in apparent retaliation, blocking roads and allegedly attacking commercial tricycle operators, commonly known as NAPEP riders, as well as their passengers. The development has further heightened tensions within the community.
Security forces under Operation Enduring Peace were quickly deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent the situation from escalating into wider violence.
The spokesperson for the operation, Captain Polycap Oteh, confirmed the deployment of troops but stated that further details would be provided after preliminary investigations into the incident are concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the attack.
The incident has since sparked widespread fear across the Jos metropolis, with residents calling for increased security presence and urgent government intervention to forestall further violence.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
