Gunmen kill at least 20 in Nigeria's Plateau State, government imposes local curfew

Gunmen killed at least 20 people in a university community in north-central Nigeria in a late-night attack on Sunday, prompting authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew.

Initial reports from local media placed the death toll at 13, but updates from community leaders on Monday raised the number of victims to at least 20, with fears it could rise further as search efforts continue.

Residents and local officials said the assailants stormed the community in Jos North, Plateau State, opening fire on civilians.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as gunshots rang out, forcing residents to flee their homes in search of safety.

Forty-eight-hour curfew imposed

“It is sad that armed men continue to wreak havoc on innocent souls, this is getting out of hand,” a survivor who identified himself as Steven Enoch told Anadolu.

In response, the Plateau State government imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area, restricting movement and deploying security forces to restore order and prevent further violence.

In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Lohya Ramnap reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting lives and property, vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Condemning the "barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens" and expressing condolences to the victims’ families, Ramnap urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.