The barbaric attack and killings are the latest in the perennial bloodletting and brazen disregard for human life that have become a recurring theme in our national life.
On Monday, the disturbing video of a distraught bereaved woman clutching the dead body of her slain husband went viral on social media. The video underscored the severity of the terror that was unleashed on her community by depraved armed men believed to be suspected Fulani terrorists. Her husband is one of those killed in the vicious and mindless violent attack on the Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, on Sunday. The barbaric attack and killings are the latest in the perennial bloodletting and brazen disregard for human life that has become a recurring theme in our national life.
The attack happened on Palm Sunday while the residents of the Christian majority community were observing the sacred and solemn day. The terrorists stormed the community at about 7:50 pm and opened fire on the hapless residents.
Death toll rises
The initial number of residents confirmed dead in the onslaught was 20 but the death toll had risen sharply by Tuesday morning with over 40 now reportedly confirmed dead from the attack. At least thirteen others are in the hospital receiving treatment for the varying degrees of injuries suffered during the attack.
Government response
The governor of the state, Caleb Muftwang, has been swift in responding to the deadly attack but the manner of his response and the optics of his appearance at the location of the attack leave much to be desired and appear to momentarily overshadow the magnitude of the sinister attack. The decision of the government to show up at the scene of the attack in an armoured vehicle exasperated many.
What the governor said
The governor condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unprovoked, and assured that security agencies are on the trail of the perpetrators. He implored people not to take laws into their own hands. The state government also declared a 48-hour curfew in the community. The attack also forced the University of Jos t to suspend examinations scheduled to start on Monday
Residents recount ordeal
Markus Audu Kando, a resident and co-chair of Plateau youth interfaith group stated that: “As I speak with you, the figure is now 40 … There are injured people at the hospital, but I cannot confirm their number.”
Residents said the gunmen arrived in the Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba district and shot at people indiscriminately.
“People were here in the evening and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people. We have counted scores of people who are now dead and then so many others are also in the hospital receiving treatment,” Paul Mancha, a resident and chairperson of the youth council in Plateau, said earlier.
“Twenty-seven persons lost their lives to the attack, including a pregnant woman. Fourteen of them died last night while others who sustained injuries gave up the ghost in the hospital. The community was still bubbling with activities around 7pm when we suddenly began to hear gunshots. Everybody began to run to safety and in the process, many people were shot,” a youth leader of the community, Samson Chiroma, said
Politicians and Celebrities react
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, joined millions of Nigerians in condemning the heinous attack. He stated that “despite endless pronouncements and so-called marching orders, insecurity remains the grim, daily reality of ordinary Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of a failing system. It is long past the time for outrage without action.”
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Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the incident as barbaric, noting that ‘senseless bloodshed’ represents a failure of government.
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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, also bemoaned the attack, stressing that “the recurring loss of innocent lives in Plateau State reminds us, yet again, of the insecurity innocent citizens face in our nation without any protection. These continuous devastating headlines are a reminder of a nation that is steadily normalising the loss of its own people”.
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What celebrities are saying
Popular rapper, Ruggedman, lamented the spate of killings in the country and deepening insecurity.
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Popular actor, producer and Skitmaker, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, did not hold back while lambasting the government over the killing, describing it as the most useless in the country while wondering “How many more Nigerians have to die due to this abysmal level of incompetence? Nigerians wake up every day to lament one tragedy after another.
Unbearably heart-wrenching!!!”
Singer Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, while reacting to the attack on Christians on Palm Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, where he was born, stated that Nigerians are not angry enough over the insecurity in the country.
On his X handle, he wrote, “We are not Angry enough !!!
Maybe na until God come down to earth.”
Speaking in a video broadcast, the movie star Kunle Remi, stated that “There is a video of a woman in pain crying over the loss of someone, that is the image we should use if you want to wish President Tinubu a happy birthday. 15 hours ago there was a disaster in Plateau, that is the celebratory image we should use. Thank you. Happy birthday, Mr President.”
Rapper Jesse Jagz lampooned the government for total disregard for the lives of Nigerians while expending time and resources for re-election campaign. Any Rapper, Victor the vector also wonders what the military does with all the funds it gets in as defence budget if insecurity is still rife and killings in Nigeria are still rampant
