After an attack on a bar in a Nigerian city, a 48-hour curfew was imposed.

 

Jos lies in one of the most volatile parts of Nigeria(Image: Gettty Images)

Local reports claim that gunmen opened fire at an open-air bar, triggering deadly retaliation attacks, prompting the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in a portion of the central Nigerian city of Jos. 26 deaths have been confirmed by the police. It is unclear how many people perished in both the initial attack and the retaliation. Announcing the curfew, Plateau state governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang said an investigation had been opened and those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.

 The state has long been regarded as one of Nigeria's most volatile regions. The youth council chair in Plateau state, Paul Mancha, suggested that the actual number of casualties could be even higher. He told the Reuters news agency, "People were here in the evening, and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people." "We have counted dozens of people who are now dead 

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and so many others who are also in the hospital receiving treatment," the statement reads.

In a statement announcing the curfew, the Plateau state governor condemned the killings as "barbaric and unprovoked," and said security agencies had been directed to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

 Prior to the attack, locals claimed that threats had been made public on 

media. The curfew, which took effect at midnight local time, is scheduled to last until April 1. As security personnel intensify patrols and maintain a visible presence throughout the affected areas, residents have been instructed to remain inside. Security forces were deployed swiftly after the shooting, with troops and other personnel moving to secure the area and restore calm.

 In central Nigeria's Plateau state, conflicts over land and water access frequently result in violence between various communities, particularly Christian farmers and predominantly Muslim herders. From an Islamist insurgency in the north-east to banditry and kidnappings in the north-west and central regions, Nigeria faces multiple security challenges. Security observers claim that these competing pressures have strained security resources and made it more difficult to carry out responses. The attack on Sunday demonstrates the persistent fragility of the arrangements for local security as well as the ease with which violence can disrupt daily life. While authorities insist the situation is under control, the imposition of a curfew underscores the seriousness of the threat and the urgency of preventing further escalation.

Source: BBC