Gunmen killed at least 20 people in a coordinated attack on Palm Sunday in Nigeria’s Plateau State, according to local authorities and witnesses. The assault occurred in the Gari Ya Waye community in Jos North, where armed men on motorcycles opened fire on residents, including a pregnant woman. The state government imposed a 48-hour curfew to prevent further violence.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The attack took place on the evening of March 30, 2026, during Palm Sunday celebrations, a significant Christian holiday. Witnesses reported that the gunmen split into groups, targeting civilians with assault rifles and machetes. Some victims were shot while others were attacked with blades. The death toll varies across reports, with some sources citing as many as 30 fatalities.
Deeper Dive & Context
Official Response and Curfew
Plateau State Commissioner for Information Joyce Lohya Ramnap confirmed the attack and the imposition of a curfew. The government has not yet identified the attackers or their motives, though residents described the gunmen as shooting indiscriminately.
Historical Context
The attack follows a pattern of violence in Nigeria’s “middle belt,” where clashes between Christian farmers and Muslim herders have escalated in recent years. Some experts attribute the violence to land disputes and climate change, while others point to religious and ethnic tensions. In 2025, Open Doors, a Christian charity, ranked Nigeria as the seventh-worst country for Christian persecution globally, with Plateau State accounting for 72% of Christian killings worldwide that year.
Witness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described the attackers as heavily armed and dressed in black, initially mistaken for law enforcement officers. One resident, Dorcas Manji, said the gunmen began shooting at anything on sight, causing widespread panic. Another witness, Ibrahim Azi, lost his brother in the attack and called for government action to prevent further violence.
Religious and Political Perspectives
Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu of the Archdiocese of Jos acknowledged the attack but noted a lack of clarity due to government-imposed lockdowns. Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of the Diocese of Wukari described the violence as part of ongoing banditry and ethnic militia conflicts, emphasizing that Christians in Nigeria are frequently targeted.
International Concerns
U.S. officials and advocacy groups have previously criticized Nigeria’s government for failing to protect Christian communities. The attack raises further questions about the government’s ability to address sectarian violence amid rising tensions.