Heightened tension has returned to Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as violent clashes and hoodlum attacks followed the partial relaxation of a 48-hour curfew.

The Plateau State Government initially imposed the restriction on Jos North Local Government Area after gunmen killed at least 28 people in Angwan Rukuba on Sunday.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announced that the curfew would now run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. This window was then exploited by criminal elements.

According to Daily Trust, hoodlums began attacking motorists and passers-by in the Terminus, Bauchi Road, and Gangere areas shortly after the morning relaxation began.

“The governor has done well by relaxing the curfew in the interest of the people, but it is unfortunate that some people have decided to take the law into their hands,” Joy Bature, a local shop owner, stated.

She explained that businesses were forced to shut down immediately. Furthermore, many banks in the affected zones have suspended operations to protect staff and assets.

University Of Jos Students Flee Rasua Hostel

The security scare reached a boiling point at the University of Jos, where students were seen running for their lives at the Rasua Hostel.

Eyewitnesses reported a sudden panic that forced many to abandon their belongings.

The UNIJOS Alumni Association has expressed deep concern over these threats.

Global President Gad Peter Shamaki has petitioned for an immediate and enhanced security presence across all campuses.

“We specifically request round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response units to ensure that any potential threats are proactively addressed,” Shamaki said on Wednesday.

He explained that students are currently vulnerable in residential areas and hostels.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports allege that a young man was hacked to death by hoodlums along the road leading to the University’s Permanent Site.

The University of Jos has historically been a sensitive zone during civil unrest in the state. The institution often serves as a refuge, yet its proximity to Farin Gada makes it a frequent target for spillover violence.

Religious Clashes And Attacks On Religious Houses

The situation escalated further into violent religious clashes around the Nasarawa and Farin Gada districts.

Protesters allegedly attacked a COCIN church, resulting in at least two deaths.

Reports from Farin Gada alleged that the body of a lady was found this morning with a warning message written on her chest.

This discovery triggered a series of retaliatory stone-throwing incidents between rival groups.

“There is an urgent need for security deployment to the University of Jos environment, precisely the students’ village hostel,” one resident appealed in a viral social media post.

The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum has condemned the “heartless” killings. Ledak Dafer and Niri Darong, the forum’s leaders, demanded an investigation into the alleged delayed response by the police.

“The state government must identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors without delay,” the forum stated in a joint press release.

Residents are currently advised to stay indoors and avoid movement around Terminus, Gada Bui, and Filin Ball.

Security agencies have not yet released a definitive statement on the total casualty count from Wednesday’s unrest.

The Plateau State Government has not indicated if it will return to a 24-hour curfew. However, the ongoing attacks on motorists suggest that the current 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. window remains highly volatile.

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