Sunday Plateau Attack: Residents claim 27 dead, police say 14

Conflicting reports have emerged over the death toll from Sunday night’s deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, with community leaders and the police giving differing figures.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed on Monday that 14 people were killed in the assault, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. on March 29, 2026.

Community leaders, however, told Vanguard that at least 27 individuals were feared dead.

According to a statement from the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, an initial 12 victims – 10 men and two women – were killed when gunmen opened fire on residents. Two additional bodies were recovered on Monday morning as police combed nearby bushes and tracked fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, personally led senior officers, including members of the Command’s Management Team, PMF Squadron Commanders, DPOs, and Tactical Team Commanders, to the scene alongside other security agencies to restore calm. Joint operations continued on Monday, intensifying efforts to apprehend the attackers.

The bodies have been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy as investigations proceed. CP Ewah expressed condolences to the victims’ families and appealed to the public to provide information that could assist the investigation.

Community leaders, however, painted a harsher picture. Barr Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, told Vanguard that at least 27 people were killed, with 14 dying on the spot and 13 others succumbing to injuries in hospital. He added that the bodies had been deposited within the community.

Mwantiri condemned the attack as another grim episode in the recurring security challenges in Plateau State and called on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.