Protest broke out on Tuesday at an ECWA church in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos north LGA of Plateau state, during the funeral of some victims of the recent attack on the community.
On March 29, no fewer than 28 people were killed and several others injured after gunmen attacked the community.
The incident triggered widespread outrage on social media and prompted the Plateau state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the local government area.
Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, had “strongly condemned” the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked”.
During a visit to the community on March 30, Mutfwang declared that the state government would not allow a mass burial, assuring families that each victim would be given a dignified burial.
“We will not allow mass burial. Government will work closely with the families to give each victim a befitting burial. They did not deserve to die in such a manner,” the governor said.
On Tuesday, a mass funeral service was held at the ECWA church for seven of the attack victims.
However, some youths disrupted proceedings, accusing the security agencies of arresting three young men for allegedly defending their neighbourhood during the violence.
The irate crowd, which displayed placards of various inscriptions as seen in a video posted by News Central, insisted that the individuals be released before the burial would continue.
“How will they come and kill us and still capture our boys, saying they are bandits? For what reason?” one of the protesters queried.
“This is wickedness of the highest level. If they don’t bring those boys, this funeral will not take place.”
As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the funeral would proceed, with tempers flaring and tension palpable.
