By Palang Paul
At least 26 Christians have been killed in a brutal attack by Fulani militias in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State Capital, Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Several others were left injured in the hospital, which has intensified concerns over recurring violence in the region.
The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. on March 29, 2026—Palm Sunday, a significant day in the Christian calendar marking the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles bikes, armed with AK-47 rifles, and opened fire sporadically along the streets of Gari Ya Waye in Angwan Rukuba, causing panic and chaos among residents.
In response, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area. However, many residents have criticized the move as insufficient, arguing that curfews alone cannot halt what they describe as a sustained campaign of violence against Christian communities. Locals are calling for stronger and more proactive security deployment on the ground to prevent further attacks.
The killings have also drawn international condemnation. United States missionary Alex Barbir denounced the violence, accusing the Nigerian government of failing in its duty to protect citizens. He specifically criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the government can no longer deny the scale of Christians Genocide in the country.
In a related incident on the same day, armed attackers reportedly struck Kabir community in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The assault occurred around midday around 12am during a bachelor’s eve gathering, leaving at least 13 people dead and several others injured.
A local resident, Habila Markus, who lost six family members in the attack, said the victims were caught off guard during the celebration. The deceased have been identified across multiple communities, including Kahir, Kadda, and Kukyer.
Victims from Kahir community include Bako Danjuma (31), Williams Luka (23), Peter Williams (23), Joseph Yakubu (26), Victor Peter (24), John Dan Asabe (25), Angulus Markus (21), and Maikano Aribi (30). Others from Kadda and Kukyer communities were also confirmed dead.
These coordinated attacks have renewed fears over escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where communal and sectarian violence has persisted for years. Analysts warn that without decisive intervention, such incidents risk further destabilizing already fragile communities.
The Plateau State Governor Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang visit the scene and sympathise with residents thanking them for not taking the law in to their hands to revenge. He further promise to give the victims of the attack a befitting burial and to pay all the hospital bills of the people injured.
Residents and youth leaders continue to urge both state and federal authorities to move beyond reactive measures and implement lasting security solutions to protect vulnerable populations.
Palang Paul reports on Conflict and Security for The Nigeria Times.
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