Gunmen Kill 26 in Jos, 13 Wedding Guests in Kaduna, Scores Missing

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a night of unrelenting violence that has left communities reeling, armed gunmen killed at least 26 people in Jos, Plateau State, while a separate bandit attack on a wedding celebration in Kaduna State claimed 13 lives, with several others abducted. The twin tragedies, occurring on Palm Sunday, have heightened fears of escalating insecurity in the region.

The Jos attack targeted Angwan Rukuba (also referred to as Angwa Rukuba or Gari Ya Waye) in Jos North Local Government Area, a densely populated area known for its student communities and commercial activities.

Plateau state governor Caleb Mutfwang arrives at the scene in a motorcade of vehicles

Eyewitnesses and residents reported that gunmen stormed the area around late Sunday night, firing indiscriminately at residents and people gathered in shops and public spaces.

Community members described scenes of chaos, with bloodstains visible on shop floors and walls pockmarked by bullets. One resident, speaking to local media, pointed to a woman’s footwear left behind after she was shot, while others swept blood from chemist shops where injured victims had sought treatment.

As of this morning, we already have a number of 26 dead bodies… The media are not telling the world the truth.

As of Monday morning, local accounts put the death toll at 26 or higher (with some reports suggesting up to 28 as more bodies were recovered), though official figures initially cited lower numbers. Many more are reported injured, with some in critical condition at hospitals in Jos.

A visibly angry resident told a community reporter: “As of this morning, we already have a number of 26 dead bodies… The media are not telling the world the truth.” He accused security agencies of being mere “passer-bys,” claiming they had only driven through without meaningful intervention even 12 hours after the attack. No government officials had visited the scene by early morning, he added, fueling public frustration.

Residents expressed deep despair, warning that the attack on a central commercial hub signals a dangerous escalation. “Angwan Rukuba is a delicate place. Now that you’ve touched the centre, I wonder what is going to happen,” one said.

Lifeless bodies of the victims

They lamented the loss of brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers, questioning the government’s response despite allocations for security. “When you are pushed to the wall, what do you do?” the resident asked, while stressing commitment to peace and Christian values of forgiveness, but warning of potential self-help if authorities fail to act.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “barbaric and unprovoked” assault on innocent citizens. In an official statement, the state government imposed an immediate 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area, effective from midnight on March 29 to April 1, 2026, in collaboration with security agencies.

When you are pushed to the wall, what do you do?

Governor Mutfwang later visited the scene of the attack on Monday morning, where he addressed residents, commiserated with bereaved families, and assured them that security agencies have been fully mobilised to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.

He vowed that those responsible would face the full wrath of the law and announced that the state government would take responsibility for the medical bills of the injured and arrange befitting burials for the deceased. He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to support security efforts and provide credible information to aid investigations.

The attack comes weeks after another major incident in Plateau’s Kanam Local Government Area, where bandits ambushed a joint patrol team of military personnel and vigilantes near Wanka, Kyaram, and Gyambau communities.

The Kanam Development Association (KADA) reported that at least 20 people were killed — 12 security operatives (including two senior military officers) and eight vigilantes. After the ambush, the bandits reportedly looted properties and rustled cattle in Kyaram.

In Kaduna State, tragedy struck Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area when heavily armed bandits invaded a wedding ceremony around 11:47 p.m. on Sunday. According to community leaders, the attackers, wielding sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles, stormed the venue and opened fire indiscriminately on guests inside the hall.

At least 13 people were killed on the spot. Several others sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko, with critical cases referred to facilities in Kaduna metropolis. The gunmen operated for nearly an hour with little resistance, also looting nearby shops, provisions stores, and a local chemist for food items, drugs, and other valuables. An unspecified number of guests were abducted, and police say they are still compiling full details.

Heartbreaking moment a mother clasps her son’s lifeless body.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has yet to issue a detailed public statement specifically on the Kahir wedding attack as of the latest reports, though his administration has in the past strongly condemned similar banditry incidents in the state and vowed to pursue justice for victims of violence. Security forces in Kaduna have confirmed the incident and launched investigations.

Kaduna has long been plagued by banditry, alongside neighbouring North-West states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina. Groups like the Lakurawa have also been linked to raids, livestock rustling, and extortion from forest bases.

Earlier efforts, including a joint Nigeria-US airstrike in Sokoto last Christmas targeting bandits and Lakurawa elements, have had limited lasting impact. The broader insecurity has spilled into neighbouring countries, though regional cooperation has weakened following political changes in Niger.

These latest incidents underscore the persistent failure of military crackdowns and intelligence operations to stem the tide of armed violence in north-central and north-western Nigeria. Residents in Jos accused authorities of inaction and questioned whether poverty and political manipulation were being used to exploit the crisis.

As families bury their loved ones and communities demand justice, many fear further attacks if proactive measures are not taken. Security forces have launched manhunts in both states, but public confidence remains low amid repeated cycles of violence, ambushes, and abductions.

The Federal Government and state authorities continue investigations, with calls growing louder for tangible security improvements beyond rhetoric and curfews.

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