President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor **Caleb Mutfwang> have vowed that those behind the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba will be brought to justice, as the confirmed death toll from the Palm Sunday killings rose to 28.
The attack, which occurred in Jos North Local Government Area, has sparked outrage across the country, with the Nigerian Bar Association, opposition leaders, and concerned Nigerians all demanding urgent action to stop the recurring bloodshed.
President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned the killings and described the attackers as “heartless cowards” who deliberately targeted defenceless citizens under the cover of darkness.
According to the President, the aim of such attacks goes beyond murder, as they are often designed to provoke retaliation and trigger wider unrest. He directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest those responsible and also warned against the spread of misinformation capable of inflaming tensions further.
Tinubu also urged sections of the media and the public to avoid framing the violence in a way that could worsen the fragile situation. He maintained that security agencies were already actively responding and stressed that cooperation from the public remains crucial to restoring calm.
The President further called for the immediate rescue of all abducted victims from the separate attack in Kahir village, while commending Governors Mutfwang and Uba Sani for their response efforts. He also extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Governor Mutfwang, in a statewide broadcast, said Plateau would not bow to terror or intimidation, despite the pain and trauma caused by the attack. He described the killings as a senseless act carried out against innocent and law-abiding citizens.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sorrow that I address you today following the tragic security incident in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the loss of 28 innocent lives,” the governor said.
He added that Plateau people must remain united and resolute, insisting that those who seek to destabilise the state will not succeed. According to him, the government has already moved swiftly to restore order, including the deployment of security agencies and the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in Jos North.
Mutfwang said he personally visited the scene of the attack alongside security chiefs to assess the situation and strengthen preventive measures. He also visited victims receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he said most of the injured were in stable condition.
In a move aimed at easing the burden on affected families, the governor announced that the Plateau State Government would cover the full medical expenses of those injured in the attack. He also promised support for the families of the deceased, including dignified burial arrangements and assistance for their dependents.
On the issue of justice, Mutfwang disclosed that a suspect had already been arrested and warned that every individual connected to the attack would face prosecution. He said the government is determined to ensure that all perpetrators are swiftly brought before the law.
The governor also praised residents, youth groups, and community leaders for showing restraint in the aftermath of the killings. He said their refusal to retaliate was a strong sign of maturity and helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
As part of broader security steps, Mutfwang revealed that he had convened a State Security Council meeting and directed stricter enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, within the Jos Greater Master Plan area.
Reacting to the killings, the Nigerian Bar Association described the attack as gruesome, heartbreaking, and completely unacceptable. In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the NBA said the violence once again exposed the worsening insecurity facing Nigerians.
The association said the tragedy was even more painful because it happened on Palm Sunday, a sacred day for Christians that should have been marked by prayer, peace, and spiritual reflection.
Instead, according to the NBA, the day turned into one of bloodshed, mourning, and fear for many families and communities. The association warned that repeated attacks without consequences are deepening a dangerous culture of impunity and weakening public trust in the state’s ability to protect lives.
The statement stressed that when killers continue to evade justice, it sends the message that human life has become cheap, while leaving ordinary citizens to live in constant fear.
Political leaders also weighed in strongly on the killings, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso all demanding more than mere condemnation.
Peter Obi said the recurring attacks show that innocent Nigerians continue to face grave danger without adequate protection. He argued that it is no longer acceptable for such violence to happen repeatedly without a decisive and lasting security strategy.
According to him, the protection of Nigerian lives must become non-negotiable, warning that the country cannot continue to mourn tragedies that should have been prevented.
Atiku Abubakar, on his part, said he was outraged by the barbaric killings, blaming the continued insecurity on what he described as a failing system. He said repeated statements and “marching orders” have not translated into real safety for ordinary Nigerians.
He insisted that public anger over the killings must now force urgent political will and concrete action to crush the menace before more communities are destroyed.
Kwankwaso also condemned the attack, describing it as another painful sign of leadership failure and a growing culture of impunity that has turned parts of Nigeria into killing fields. He said the recurring violence in Plateau and other parts of the country must now be treated as a full national emergency rather than routine insecurity.
According to him, Nigerians deserve to live in peace, security, and dignity regardless of their ethnic or religious identity.
Sunday’s attack in Angwan Rukuba left 28 people dead and several others injured, further deepening concerns over the persistent violence in Plateau State and the urgent need for a stronger, more effective national security response.