Fresh violence has erupted in Plateau State, leaving several residents dead and many others injured, just hours after the state government partially relaxed a 48-hour curfew imposed following Sundayâs deadly attack by suspected gunmen dressed in military uniforms.
Chronicles Reporters gathered that tension resurfaced Wednesday morning in Anguwan Rukuba, where residents reportedly turned on one another in renewed clashes that quickly escalated into deadly violence.
The unrest comes shortly after Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved a partial relaxation of the curfew, allowing residents limited movement between 7am and 3pm to carry out lawful activities while security agencies maintained surveillance.
However, eyewitnesses told Chronicles Reporters that the fragile calm collapsed early Wednesday morning at the Anguwan Rukuba junction near UNA Primary School, when groups of angry youths armed with sticks, machetes, and other dangerous weapons allegedly began attacking residents indiscriminately.
Residents reported that stones were thrown into homes, forcing families to flee in panic while others barricaded themselves indoors for safety as violence spread across the area.
One resident who spoke anonymously described the situation as terrifying and urgent, saying armed youths were attacking anyone in sight while frightened families screamed and ran for cover.
Security sources confirmed that troops were eventually deployed to the scene, temporarily easing tension. However, one of the victims identified as Alkasim Umar reportedly died at the hospital after sustaining critical injuries during the clashes.
Residents expressed grief and frustration, saying the cycle of violence has claimed too many lives and demanding urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
Community leaders and residents have also criticized the Plateau State government, alleging that the curfew was relaxed prematurely without adequate security deployment to prevent retaliatory violence.
A local elder reportedly accused authorities of negligence, arguing that the decision to ease restrictions without strengthening security contributed to the renewed killings.
Videos circulating on social media and reviewed by Chronicles Reporters allegedly show multiple individuals being attacked in broad daylight, with some reportedly beaten to death by armed youths while others sustained severe injuries.
Security operatives were later seen evacuating injured victims and recovering bodies from different locations within the community as fear gripped residents.
The renewed violence is believed to be linked to Sunday eveningâs deadly attack, when suspected gunmen dressed in military uniforms stormed Anguwan Rukuba and opened fire on residents.
A resident, Nyam Isaac, who witnessed the Sunday attack, described the scene as chaotic, saying the attackers stormed the market area around 8pm and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing residents to run for their lives as several people fell after being hit by bullets.
Earlier, the Plateau State government, through Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies while assuring the public of government commitment to protecting lives and property.
Despite the assurances, anger and fear continue to grow among residents, with many blaming delayed security reinforcement after Sundayâs attack for the renewed violence.
Community sources say families remain indoors, hiding in fear, while residents call for sustained military and police deployment across Anguwan Rukuba and surrounding communities.
The latest bloodshed has once again raised serious concerns about the worsening security situation in Plateau State, as residents warn that without decisive intervention from both state and federal authorities, the cycle of violence may continue to escalate.