Plateau Governor Mutfwang Defends Addressing Jos Crowd from Armoured Vehicle After Palm Sunday Attack That Killed 28

 

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has explained his decision to address grieving residents from an armoured personnel carrier (APC) during a condolence visit to Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, following a deadly Palm Sunday attack that claimed at least 28 lives.

The attack occurred on the evening of Sunday, March 29, 2026, around 8 p.m., when suspected gunmen on motorcycles and in a vehicle opened fire on people gathered in a busy street and market area in Angwan Rukuba, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood. Residents were returning from Palm Sunday church services when the assailants struck, killing men, women, and children indiscriminately and injuring several others. The death toll, initially reported lower by police, rose to 28 as more bodies were recovered and victims succumbed to injuries in hospitals.64c298

Governor Mutfwang visited the community the following day (Monday) amid heightened tension, with angry youths protesting and confronting him over the persistent insecurity in the state. Video footage showed the governor standing through the roof hatch of the armoured vehicle, surrounded by heavy security, as he attempted to calm the crowd and assure them of government support. Some protesters chanted for him to “come down” from the vehicle, accusing the government of failing to protect lives and expressing frustration at what they saw as a disconnect.c27f68

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, April 3, 2026, Governor Mutfwang defended the arrangement, saying it was driven by both practical and security considerations.

“From the height I stood, part of the reason they put me in the ATC [Armoured Tank Carrier] was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd,” he explained. He added that once the residents saw him and became reassured of his presence, they urged him to come closer, saying there was no harm.c5b547

The governor noted that the volatile atmosphere in the community necessitated caution, but he insisted the move was not out of fear but to ensure his message reached as many people as possible in the large gathering. He described the criticism as a misrepresentation of the situation.

The incident sparked widespread debate and criticism on social media, with some accusing the governor of insensitivity for addressing mourners from the safety of a military-grade vehicle while ordinary citizens remained exposed. Others, however, pointed to the security risks in the aftermath of such attacks as justification for the precautions.

No group has claimed responsibility for the Palm Sunday attack, which fits a pattern of recurring violence in Plateau State, often linked to banditry, farmer-herder clashes, or targeted assaults on communities. In response, the state government has reinforced a ban on commercial motorcycle (okada) operations in Jos metropolis to curb the use of bikes by attackers.

Governor Mutfwang has repeatedly condemned the killings and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to restore peace in the troubled region. The attack has drawn national and international attention, with calls for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities, especially during religious observances.

As Plateau grapples with yet another tragedy, residents continue to demand more proactive security strategies and tangible results in tackling the cycle of violence that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.