ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Gunmen who attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State reportedly arrived on motorcycles wearing military-style attire, a youth leader Comrade Samson Chiroma, has said.
Comrade Chiroma, who spoke on behalf of residents during a visit by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, said the attackers stormed the area on Sunday night and opened fire on residents, causing panic in the densely populated community.
“Our attackers came on bikes in military-style attire,” Chiroma said.
Another resident, Jerry Akims, told journalists that the assailants went from house to house attacking innocent citizens, adding that many initially mistook the gunshots for routine operations by law enforcement agents.
“But the shooting didn’t sound normal; the attackers operated for several minutes before vanishing,” he said.
At least 27 persons were killed when the gunmen invaded the community around 7:30pm on Sunday.
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Reacting to the incident, Governor Mutfwang described the attack as “cowardly and utterly senseless,” expressing grief over the loss of lives and injuries sustained by residents.
He disclosed that victims were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, with many reported to be in stable condition.
The governor directed security agencies to shift from routine peacekeeping to proactive, intelligence-led operations, warning of what he described as an emerging phase of urban terrorism.
“We are now confronted with an emerging phase of urban terrorism, and this demands a fundamental rethink of our security architecture,” he said.
Mutfwang also revealed that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident, particularly over the spread of inciting information capable of triggering unrest.
He urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and ensure that those behind the attack are identified and brought to justice.
“The time for hesitation is over. We must deploy every available resource to defend our people and safeguard our state,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu Nadada, said his visit to the state was on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for a fact-finding and operational assessment.
He disclosed that additional security personnel, including units of the Police Mobile Force and intelligence operatives, had been deployed to restore order and track down the perpetrators.
“We are here to assess the situation firsthand and implement effective strategies to neutralise these criminal elements,” Nadada said.