Angry women halt mass burial in Angwan Rukuba as death toll rises
Tension heightened in the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Council of Plateau State yesterday, as angry women took to the streets carrying leaves and chanting songs to stop the planned mass burial of victims of the Palm Sunday deadly attack by gunmen.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the attack has risen to 33. The Chief of Staff, Government House Jos, Jeremiah Satmak, who represented the Plateau State Government during the funeral service yesterday at ECWA Church in AngwanRukuba, confirmed the updated figure.
He commiserated with the families of the victims and assured them that efforts were underway to uncover the motive behind the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The protesting women, joined by some youths, locked the entrance of the church where the funeral was scheduled. They cited allegations that military authorities had arrested three youths from the community in connection with investigations into the killings.
A local told The Punch correspondent that the women were demanding the unconditional release of the arrested youths before any burial could take place.
It took the intervention of youth leaders to calm the situation.
Gunmen attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of AngwanRukuba on Palm Sunday night, killing over 28 people and injuring several others. The attackers stormed the densely populated community around 7.30p.m. and opened fire indiscriminately on residents.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who had earlier visited the scene, vowed that justice would be served and the perpetrators would not go unpunished. He described the attack as a heinous and well-orchestrated act aimed at destabilising the state.
The governor’s delegate disclosed that toll from the attack has risen from 28 to 33, following the death of some victims in the hospital.
“Government is working tirelessly to unravel the motive behind these killings and bring an end to the violence on the Plateau. This attack was meant to break our unity, but it will not succeed,” he said.
He called on residents to remain vigilant and prayerful, assuring of the state government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace.
The Chief of Staff further announced that the three youths earlier arrested in connection with the incident had been released.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State chapter, Rev. Gomwalk Dunkan, stressed that peace could only be achieved through justice.
“There can be no peace without justice. Government must ensure that justice is served for lasting peace to return,” he said.
He, however, expressed hope that the crisis would soon come to an end, noting that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.(Guardian)
