Fresh tension erupted in 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 had earlier been imposed on Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen attacked residents on Sunday, killing at least 28 people.
However, the Plateau State Government later eased the restriction. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announced that the curfew would now run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, effective April 1, 2026, to allow residents to carry out essential activities.
Despite the relaxation, calm failed to return to the city as hoodlums and angry mobs reportedly attacked motorists and passers-by in several areas, triggering fresh fear among residents.
Sources who spoke with Vanguard said a young man walking along the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site was hacked to death by suspected hoodlums.
Several motorists around Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangere also had their vehicle windscreens smashed during the unrest.
Areas most affected by the violence included the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, among others.
The renewed tension paralysed commercial activities in parts of the state capital, with several banks in affected areas shutting 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,” she added.
Meanwhile, the University of Jos Alumni Association expressed concern over the rising insecurity around campuses and student residential areas.
In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to increase security presence around the university environment.
“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 also advised students to remain indoors, stay vigilant, and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Residents also called for more security deployment, particularly 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,” a resident said.
“We appeal to the security agencies to beam their searchlight around that axis.”
Another resident, Ishaku Mark, lamented the renewed tension and urged residents to focus on restoring peace rather than escalating the crisis.
He also called on the government to identify and punish those responsible for the attacks.
Lawyers Condemn Killings
In a related development, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum condemned the killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba, describing the attack as “dastardly and heartless”.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ledak Dafer, and Secretary, Niri Darong, the forum said the incident was part of a disturbing pattern of violence affecting several local government areas in the state.
The lawyers also extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
They urged the state government to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors, while also calling for an investigation into the alleged delayed response by nearby police formations during the attack.
