Fresh tension hits Jos as curfew relaxation sparks hoodlum attacks

Heightened tension has returned to parts of Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday following the relaxation of the 48-hour curfew imposed by the state government after the deadly Angwan Rukuba attack.

The curfew was initially placed on Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen attacked residents of Angwan Rukuba on Sunday, killing at least 28 people.

The Plateau State Government later eased the restriction, with the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announcing that the curfew would now run from 7am to 3pm daily, effective Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The move was aimed at allowing residents to attend to normal activities during permitted hours.

However, the relaxation failed to restore calm.

Instead, hoodlums and irate mobs reportedly attacked motorists and passers-by in several parts of the city, sparking fresh fear and panic among residents.

Our correspondent gathered that a young man walking along the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site was hacked to death by hoodlums.

Several motorists around Terminus, Bauchi Road and Gangere areas also had their windscreens smashed.

The most affected areas included the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction and Chobe, among others.

The situation paralysed business activities in the state capital, forcing many banks in the affected areas to shut down operations.

“We are scared to open our shops. We don’t know what might happen,” said Joy Bature, a provision shop owner at Terminus Market.

“The governor has done well by relaxing the curfew in the interest of the people, but it is unfortunate that some people have decided to take the law into their hands.

Meanwhile, the University of Jos Alumni Association expressed deep concern over the rising tension and threats affecting students, staff and the broader university community in Jos North.

In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to immediately deploy enhanced security presence across all University of Jos campuses, student hostels, residential areas where students live, and major access routes.

“We specifically request round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response units to ensure that any potential threats are proactively addressed and swiftly neutralised,” Shamaki said.

The association advised students to stay indoors, remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity. Residents also called for increased security deployment, especially around the University of Jos students’ village and hostels.

“There is an urgent need for security deployment to the University of Jos environment, precisely the students’ village hostel,” one resident appealed.

“We appeal to the security agencies to beam their searchlight around that axis.”

Another resident, Ishaku Mark, lamented the renewed tension, saying residents should concentrate on the peace rather than escalate the situation.

He urged the government to fish out and deal with those responsible for the fresh attack.

In a related development, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum has strongly condemned the “dastardly and heartless” killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by its chairman, Ledak Dafer, and secretary, Niri Darong, the forum described Sunday’s incident as part of a disturbing pattern of violence ravaging several local government areas, including Wase, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa and Jos North.

The lawyers extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

They called on the state government to identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors without delay.

They also demanded an investigation into the alleged delayed response by nearby police formations during the assault.