By Momodu Favour

No fewer than 40 persons are feared dead following a deadly attack by suspected gunmen in Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba, in Jos.

The attack occurred on Sunday night, March 29, 2026, around 7:50 p.m., throwing the community into panic as residents fled amid sustained gunfire.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the area and opened fire on unsuspecting residents before escaping. Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, reportedly arrived at the scene at about 8:45 p.m. to restore order.

A visit to the area on Monday morning revealed the scale of the devastation, with at least 26 bodies counted in Angwan Rukuba alone.

Casualty figures from other affected locations remain unclear, as some victims were reportedly taken away by relatives, while others were moved to nearby mortuaries.

Several residents also sustained injuries during the attack, with some receiving treatment at undisclosed medical facilities.

The incident has heightened tensions across parts of Plateau State, a region that has experienced recurring communal violence in recent years.

In response, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area, effective from midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026, as part of efforts to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked,” and assured residents that security agencies are actively pursuing those responsible.

He called for calm and urged residents to cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to stabilise the affected communities, even as residents remain on edge over fears of possible reprisal attacks.