The city of Jos, located in Nigeria's volatile "Central Belt," was once again the scene of extreme violence on Palm Sunday evening. A coordinated attack by armed men left at least ten people dead in the residential area of Angwan Rukuba , spreading terror among residents of North Jos.

The modus operandi: a deadly ruse

According to testimonies gathered, the attackers used deception to infiltrate this densely populated neighborhood:

1. Camouflage: About twenty individuals arrived on motorcycles, dressed in uniforms resembling those of the anti-drug agency (NDLEA).
2. Surprise effect: Taking advantage of this official appearance, they were able to approach the inhabitants before opening fire indiscriminately in several sectors, notably in Gari Yawaye.
3. Escape: Security forces only arrived on the scene after the criminals had left.

Emergency measures and official reactions

Faced with this escalation, the authorities took immediate measures to stabilize the region:

1. Curfew: A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in the North Jos area to prevent any further incidents.
2. University suspension: The University of Jos has postponed exams scheduled for the beginning of the week, as the safety of students residing nearby could not be guaranteed.
3. Political condemnation: Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang called the act "barbaric" and assured that everything would be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"They arrived like official agents. Nobody suspected a thing until the shooting started." — A resident of the neighborhood.

An alarming security context

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, it is part of a cycle of chronic violence plaguing Plateau State. The region is a crossroads of multiple tensions:

1. Land and community conflicts: Long-standing disputes between farmers and herders.
2. Crime: Increasingly sophisticated armed banditry.
3. Sad anniversary: This massacre comes almost exactly one year after another massacre that also occurred on Palm Sunday.

As families bury their dead, the population of Jos finds itself once again plunged into mourning and uncertainty, illustrating the difficulty authorities face in protecting urban areas against unpredictable and cruel attacks.