Tension in Plateau as Death Toll from Angwan Rukuba Attack Rises to 33; Protest Disrupts Mass Burial Over Arrested Youths

 The death toll from the Palm Sunday gunmen attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 33, as grieving residents staged a protest that briefly halted the mass burial of victims.

The attack, which occurred on March 29, 2026, initially claimed at least 28 lives, with several others injured. The figure climbed after some victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital, according to confirmation by the Plateau State Government.

On Tuesday, April 7, a funeral service for some of the victims at the ECWA Church in the community turned chaotic when angry women and youths disrupted proceedings. Protesters, carrying leaves and placards, blocked the church entrance and chanted songs, refusing to allow the burial to continue until three youths arrested by security forces in connection with the incident were released.

One protester, Rhoda Aliyu, stated: “We will not allow the burial to take place until our sons are released.” The demonstrators accused the military of wrongly detaining the youths, claiming they were defending their neighbourhood during the attack.

The Chief of Staff to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Jeremiah Satmak, who represented the governor at the service, confirmed the updated death toll of 33. He announced that the three arrested youths had been released following the residents’ agitations and protests.

The protest highlighted growing frustration among residents over recurring violence in the area and perceived delays in justice. The state government had earlier imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North after the attack and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators.

Governor Mutfwang had previously assured families that the government would not allow a mass burial but would ensure each victim received a dignified individual burial where possible. However, the service proceeded for unclaimed bodies and some victims after tensions eased.

This latest incident adds to the long-standing security challenges in Plateau State, where communities continue to grapple with deadly attacks often attributed to bandits or herder-farmer clashes.

Residents have called for enhanced security and swift action to prevent further bloodshed in the region.