BAUCHI, Nigeria — Gunmen carried out a series of deadly attacks in Nigeria’s north-central region on Sunday night, killing at least 30 people in Plateau State and 13 others in neighboring Kaduna, according to residents, officials, and local reports. The violence, which coincided with Palm Sunday observances, has heightened fears in a region long plagued by recurring conflict.
In Plateau State, the attack unfolded in the Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba district in Jos North Local Government Area. Witnesses said heavily armed men stormed the area in the evening, opening fire indiscriminately on residents and leaving bodies strewn across streets and homes.
Initial police reports suggested a lower death toll, but local residents and community leaders insist the number of victims is significantly higher. Markus Audu Kando, a resident and co-chair of a Plateau youth interfaith group, said the scale of the tragedy was still unfolding.
“As I speak with you, the figure is now 30,” he said. “There are many injured people receiving treatment in hospitals, but the exact number remains unclear.”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and confusion as attackers targeted multiple locations. Some gunmen reportedly entered a local bar under the guise of customers before opening fire, while others arrived in vehicles and shot at people gathered near a roadside market and a nearby church where Palm Sunday activities had taken place.
Additional reports from Angwan Rukuba Junction, Eto Baba, and surrounding student residential areas indicated that earlier gunfire throughout the day had already claimed several lives before the main night attack intensified.
Authorities have yet to officially identify the perpetrators. Residents offered conflicting accounts, with some alleging the attackers were affiliated with extremist groups, while others described them as armed militia arriving on motorcycles and retreating toward nearby mountainous terrain after the attack. Security agencies have not confirmed any of these claims.
In response, the Plateau State government imposed a 48-hour curfew across affected parts of Jos North in an effort to restore order and prevent further escalation. The University of Jos also suspended examinations that were scheduled to begin Monday, citing safety concerns for students and staff.
Despite the curfew, tensions remained high. Groups of residents, particularly youths, took to the streets in protest, blocking roads and demanding greater protection from authorities.
Paul Mancha, a local youth leader, described the attack as devastating. “People were going about their evening when these attackers came and unleashed terror,” he said. “We have counted many dead, and several others are in hospitals fighting for their lives.”
Separate Attack in Kaduna
In a separate but equally tragic incident, at least 13 people were killed in Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State early Sunday morning.
According to local sources, the victims had gathered for a bachelor’s celebration when gunmen opened fire without warning. A resident, Habila Markus, said several of his relatives were among those killed. Survivors were rushed to nearby medical facilities with varying degrees of injuries.
Community records indicate that the victims, drawn from Kahir, Kadda, and Kukyer villages, were mostly young adults between the ages of 21 and 31.
A Region Under Strain
The latest attacks highlight the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region often characterized by tensions between predominantly Muslim Fulani herders and largely Christian farming communities. While the conflict is frequently framed along ethnic and religious lines, experts point to deeper structural causes.
Increasing pressure on land due to climate change, population growth, and expanding agricultural activity has intensified competition for resources. These factors, analysts say, continue to fuel cycles of violence that cut across religious and ethnic identities.
Jos, the capital of Plateau State, has historically been a flashpoint. Although much of the violence in recent years has occurred in rural areas, the city itself has experienced major clashes in the past, including prolonged unrest in 2010 that left hundreds dead.
Pattern of Violence During Holy Week
The timing of the attacks has drawn attention to a troubling pattern of violence during the Easter season in Plateau State and surrounding areas.
In 2025, at least 54 people were killed in Zikke village near Jos following Palm Sunday celebrations, according to reports by the International Christian Concern. That attack also saw widespread destruction, with more than 100 homes burned.
Similar incidents have been recorded in previous years. In 2024, four people were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area on Easter Monday. Earlier attacks in 2021 and 2022 led to fatalities, displacement, and the destruction of entire communities. In 2020, nine people, including children and a pregnant woman, were killed during Holy Week in Bassa.
The recurrence of such attacks during significant religious periods has deepened anxiety among residents and raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures.
National and International Attention
The ongoing violence has drawn scrutiny from the international community. In November, Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing allegations that Christian communities were being targeted and inadequately protected. The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied these claims, insisting that the conflict is more complex and not solely based on religion.
Uncertainty and Fear Persist
As investigations continue, many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the identity and motives of the attackers. For residents of Plateau and Kaduna states, however, the immediate concern is safety.
Local leaders have urged calm while calling on authorities to strengthen security presence and intelligence gathering. Students and residents in affected areas have been advised to remain indoors as tensions linger.
For now, communities are left to mourn their dead while bracing for what many fear could be further outbreaks of violence in an already fragile region.
