Deadly Attacks in Jos Prompt 48-Hour Curfew as Security Forces Respond

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in parts of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, following a wave of violence that has left at least 26 people dead. The unrest began when gunmen opened fire at an open-air bar, triggering revenge attacks that have further escalated tensions in the central Nigerian city.

Authorities have yet to determine how many victims were killed in the initial attack versus the retaliatory violence. Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, in announcing the curfew, condemned the killings as “barbaric and unprovoked” and pledged that those responsible would face justice.

“Security agencies have been directed to pursue the perpetrators and ensure they are held accountable,” Governor Mutfwang said.

The curfew, which began at midnight local time, will remain in effect until April 1. Residents have been ordered to stay indoors while security forces intensify patrols across affected neighborhoods. Troops and other personnel were rapidly deployed to restore order and secure the area.

Local youth leader Paul Mancha suggested the casualty count could rise. “People were here in the evening and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people. We have counted scores of people who are now dead, and so many others are in the hospital receiving treatment,” he told Reuters.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) described the attack as “horrific,” noting that the assailants appeared in uniforms resembling those of Nigerian security forces before opening fire. CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh emphasized the broader implications for national security, saying:

“Innocent Nigerians men, women, and children were hunted and killed in cold blood. A nation cannot keep bleeding like this and expect to move forward. We owe the dead justice. We owe the living protection.”

Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has a long history of communal violence, often pitting mainly Muslim herders against largely Christian farmers over land and water access. Social media posts reportedly hinted at threats before the attack, underscoring the growing challenge of insecurity in the region.

Authorities have launched investigations into the incident, vowing to bring those responsible to justice, while residents remain confined to their homes under the curfew as security forces work to prevent further violence.