Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria — Fresh tension gripped the city of Jos in north central Nigeria on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, after authorities relaxed a 48-hour curfew imposed following a deadly attack that killed at least 28 residents.
Okay News reports that the Plateau State Government had earlier restricted movement after gunmen attacked residents of Angwan Rukuba, a community in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. The curfew was later eased for the Jos North Local Government Area after officials said the security situation had improved.
Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, announced in a statement on Tuesday that residents would be allowed to move between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. West African Time (WAT, GMT+1) beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026, so they could attend to daily activities.
However, the partial lifting of the restriction did not calm fears. Reports on Wednesday morning indicated that hoodlums and an angry crowd attacked motorists and pedestrians in several parts of the city, worsening anxiety among residents.
A young man was reportedly hacked to death along the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site. In addition, several motorists had their vehicle windscreens smashed in the Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangere areas.
The violence affected areas around the University of Jos, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, disrupting business activities across the state capital. Banks in the affected districts also shut operations amid safety concerns.
“We are scared to open our shops, we don’t know what might happen. But there is no need for the current tension in Jos. The governor has done well by relaxing the curfew in the interest of the people, but it’s very unfortunate how some people can decide to take the law into their hands for no reason, and I think the government should not allow them to have their way. But the government needs to do more to ensure our safety,” said Joy Bature, a trader at Terminus Market.
The University of Jos Alumni Association also expressed concern in a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki. The group called for increased security around university campuses, hostels, residential areas, and access roads.
“We specifically request round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response units to ensure that any potential threats are proactively addressed and swiftly neutralized,” Shamaki said.
Residents urged security agencies to deploy more personnel, especially near student hostels, where many students were stranded. Another resident, Ishaku Mark, called for calm and accountability for those behind the renewed unrest.
Police authorities in Plateau State did not immediately comment, but sources at the command headquarters said security personnel had been deployed to restore order and maintain law and order.
