Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
LAGOS, Nigeria — Widespread grief and mounting pressure for accountability have gripped parts of Nigeria after a Palm Sunday attack in the Angwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, left scores dead and injured, including a University of Jos student who later died from his wounds. Student leaders and community members have called on the federal government to take decisive action, including establishing a high‑level inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Lagos State chapter, on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute a presidential panel of inquiry into the killing of Abel Gershon, a 300‑level Building student at the University of Jos who died days after being caught up in the violence on March 29. The group’s statement described his death as emblematic of the worsening security situation in Nigeria and called for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Eyewitness accounts and official reports indicate that on the evening of March 29, unknown gunmen riding motorcycles stormed the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba, a densely populated neighbourhood home to many student residents. The attackers opened fire indiscriminately on civilians around 7:30pm, killing and injuring dozens of people in what authorities and community members have described as a coordinated assault. Initial casualty figures varied, but subsequent updates confirmed that at least 33 victims have now been recorded, as several critically injured survivors succumbed to their wounds in hospital over the days that followed.
Gershon, initially reported among those who survived the initial shooting, later died after battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital. His death has become a central focus of demands for justice, with NANS stressing that the proposed inquiry should be empowered to identify perpetrators, ensure their prosecution and recommend sustainable measures to protect students and civilians. The association also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu for coordinating the evacuation of Lagos‑based students from the crisis zone to safer locations, highlighting that student welfare remains a critical concern.
In the days following the attack, tension in the community remained high. A planned mass burial service for victims was temporarily halted when angry women and youths blocked the entrance to a church where the service was to take place, demanding the release of local youths who had been detained by security personnel in connection with the ongoing investigation. The protest underscored deep frustration among residents over the handling of the crisis and fears that innocent community members were being held without clear evidence. Church and youth leaders intervened to ease the standoff, and the detained youths were eventually released, allowing funeral activities to proceed.
State authorities, including the Chief of Staff representing Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the funeral service, reiterated the government’s commitment to uncovering the motive behind the killings and bringing those responsible to justice. They emphasised that the attack was aimed at destabilising peace in the state but vowed that unity and resilience would prevail. The Christian Association of Nigeria’s Plateau State chapter also appealed for justice as the foundation for lasting peace, urging authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
The attack and its aftermath have triggered a broader response. The University of Jos temporarily suspended examinations scheduled shortly after the incident, advising students and staff to remain vigilant and stay indoors amid heightened tensions. The institution’s leadership stated that the decision was made in consideration of the safety of its community as investigations and security operations continued around the area.
Meanwhile, the federal government has taken steps to address the national outrage. President Tinubu, who postponed a scheduled visit to Ogun State, travelled to Jos to commiserate with affected families and demonstrate federal concern over the violence. He directed security agencies to track down and apprehend the assailants, condemning the killings as a gross violation of citizens’ right to life and security. The presidency also announced enhanced surveillance measures, including expanded deployment of technology to improve detection and response capabilities in volatile regions.
The incident has also attracted commentary from political figures outside government. Former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo, during a condolence visit to the affected community, called on the federal government to “move beyond routine condemnations” and implement proactive, intelligence‑driven security measures that prioritise protection of lives and livelihoods. He stressed that confidence in government ability to protect citizens depends not only on words but on visible action to deter future attacks.
The broader context of the Plateau attack reflects longstanding security challenges in central Nigeria, where various communities have experienced cycles of violence linked to ethnic tensions, disputes over land and resources, and clashes involving armed groups. Though investigations into the Angwan Rukuba incident remain ongoing, the violence has underscored persistent concerns about the effectiveness of current security frameworks and the urgent need for policy responses that restore public trust and safeguard at‑risk populations.
As the nation mourns the loss of Gershon and dozens of others killed in the attack, calls for justice have resonated across student groups, civil society organisations and political leaders alike. The demand for a presidential panel of inquiry reflects a broader yearning for accountability and transparency in addressing acts of violence that threaten the safety of students and civilians. The federal government’s response in the coming weeks, particularly in establishing mechanisms that lead to tangible outcomes, will be closely watched by Nigerians who seek assurance that their government can effectively protect and uphold the rights of all citizens.
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