Armed assailants stormed a university community in Nigeria’s Plateau state Sunday evening, opening fire and killing at least 13 people, according to local residents and government officials. The deadly assault marks another tragic incident in a region that has experienced ongoing violence between different groups.
The attackers targeted the Gari Ya Waye community within the Angwan Rukuba district, where they fired weapons at civilians without discrimination, witnesses reported. State authorities have identified the perpetrators as unknown gunmen and responded by establishing a 48-hour curfew across the affected district.
The violence has disrupted academic activities, with the University of Jos announcing the postponement of examinations that were scheduled to begin Monday morning. The institution cited security concerns following the overnight attack.
“People were here in the evening and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people. We have counted scores of people who are now dead and then so many others are also in the hospital receiving treatment,” said Paul Mancha, a local resident who serves as chairperson of the youth council in Plateau.
The central Nigerian region, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt, has been experiencing persistent deadly confrontations. While these conflicts are sometimes characterized as religious tensions between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farming communities, analysts and political leaders point to environmental factors as underlying causes. Climate change and agricultural expansion have intensified competition for land resources, creating disputes that transcend religious and ethnic boundaries.
The violence in Nigeria has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump designating the country “a country of particular concern” last November. Trump cited targeting of Christians and alleged government failures to provide adequate protection, claims that Nigerian officials have disputed.
