Tension erupted in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday as women staged a protest and locked the gates of a church, halting a planned mass burial for victims of the recent Palm Sunday attack.
The women demanded the immediate release of three youths — Joseph Bitrus, Azi Daddy and Moses Kefas — who were allegedly arrested by security operatives during the violence.
The protest occurred amid heightened tension in the area following the attack, which claimed more than 29 lives and left several others injured. The incident had plunged the community into mourning and raised fears of further violence, with residents expressing concerns over arrests made in the aftermath of the killings.
Seven of the victims were scheduled for a mass burial at the ECWA Church in Angwan Rukuba, drawing grieving families, sympathisers, government officials and other dignitaries.
However, the solemn gathering was disrupted when women, joined by youths and other residents, locked the church gates and insisted that the burial would not proceed until the detained youths were released.
Dressed in black and carrying green leaves, the protesters gathered at the entrance of the church, chanting, “We want our children back,” and vowing not to reopen the gates until the youths were returned safely.
The protest created a tense standoff, halting the burial proceedings as mourners waited anxiously for hours, while security personnel monitored the situation to prevent escalation.
Community sources said the three youths were eventually released following the intervention of community leaders and government officials and were brought back unharmed to the community.
Their return was met with jubilation as women and youths broke into songs and celebrations.
The church gates were subsequently reopened, allowing the burial service to continue.Speaking during the protest, a resident, Miss Ijeoma Patrick, insisted that the youths were innocent and had no criminal records.
“They were arrested without any justification. These are young men who were only trying to defend the community when the violence started,” she said, expressing concern over what she described as the inability of security operatives to distinguish between residents and attackers.
Another community member, Mr Sarki Izang, also questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the conditions of their release.“They did nothing wrong. That is what led to this situation. Now that they have been released, we want to know under what conditions they were freed, whether on bail or unconditionally,” he said.
He commended the efforts of community members, particularly women and youths, for their role in securing the release of the detained youths, and appreciated the intervention of the Plateau State Governor and the Speaker of the State Assembly.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Julie Sanda, acknowledged the deep grief and anger within the community, describing the incident as both tragic and shocking.
“This is a grieving process, and it will not end overnight. The pain is deep, and the anger is understandable, but we must ensure it does not lead to further harm,” she said.Sanda commended the restraint shown by the youths despite the tension, describing their conduct as a sign of emerging leadership.
“We will continue to engage with the community, especially the youth, to strengthen dialogue and promote peace. This is not just about one community; it affects the whole of Plateau State. An injury to one is an injury to all,” she added.
The situation later calmed as the burial proceeded, though the incident highlights ongoing tensions in parts of Plateau State following the recent violence.
Efforts to obtain reaction from security authorities were unsuccessful as of press time.
