From Marcus Nkire
Authorities have enforced a 48-hour restriction on movement in parts of Jos after a gun attack at a local bar spiralled into further violence, officials confirmed.
According to police, the incident has left at least 26 people dead. However, authorities have not specified how many fatalities resulted directly from the initial shooting and how many occurred during the retaliatory attacks that followed. The governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, denounced the killings and ordered security agencies to identify and apprehend those behind the violence.
Community sources indicate the casualty figure may rise, with a number of injured victims currently receiving medical attention. Some residents also reported that warnings had been shared on social media before the attack, suggesting it may not have been entirely unexpected.
The curfew, which took effect at midnight, will last until 1 April, limiting movement as security forces increase their presence in affected areas to maintain order.
Plateau State has a history of recurring clashes, frequently tied to disputes over land use between farming populations and herding groups. This latest outbreak underscores ongoing security concerns in the region, despite assurances from authorities that efforts are underway to stabilise the situation.
