Tension resurfaced in parts of Jos on Wednesday following the relaxation of a 48-hour curfew earlier imposed after the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba.
The Plateau State Government had enforced the curfew in Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen killed at least 28 residents in Angwan Rukuba on Sunday.
Announcing a partial easing of the restriction, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the curfew would now run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, effective April 1, to allow residents attend to essential activities.
However, the move failed to restore calm, as hoodlums and angry mobs reportedly launched attacks on motorists and pedestrians across several parts of the city, reigniting fear among residents.
A young man was reportedly hacked to death along the road leading to University of Jos Permanent Site, while vehicles were vandalised in areas including Terminus, Bauchi Road and Gangere.
Other affected locations include the University of Jos axis, Farin Gada, Tina Junction and Chobe, where the unrest disrupted normal activities.
Business operations were also impacted, with many banks in the affected areas shutting down amid safety concerns.
Residents expressed anxiety over the situation. A shop owner at Terminus Market, Joy Bature, said fear had forced many traders to remain closed.
Meanwhile, the University of Jos Alumni Association raised concerns over the safety of students and staff. In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association called for increased security presence across campuses, hostels and surrounding communities.
The group urged authorities to deploy round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-driven surveillance and rapid response units to prevent further escalation.
Residents also appealed for tighter security around student hostels and residential areas, particularly within the university environment.
One resident emphasised the need for urgent deployment of security personnel to the students’ village, while another, Ishaku Mark, urged citizens to prioritise peace and avoid actions that could worsen the crisis.
In a related development, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum condemned the killings in Angwan Rukuba, describing them as “dastardly and heartless.”
The forum called on the government to swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible, including their sponsors, and demanded an investigation into the alleged delayed response by security agencies during the attack.
They also extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
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