Grief and outrage gripped the Anguwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday as Governor Caleb Mutfwang addressed angry residents following a deadly overnight attack that left at least 26 people dead.

The victims were killed in a brutal Palm Sunday assault, with several others still receiving treatment in hospitals for gunshot wounds and other injuries sustained during the attack.

In a viral video, Governor Mutfwang was seen standing atop a bulletproof armoured vehicle as he tried to calm visibly agitated youths in the community, speaking partly in Hausa amid heightened tension and mourning.

“Youth, are you hearing me?” the governor called out repeatedly.

However, the angry youths responded that they could not hear him clearly and demanded that he come down from the armoured vehicle to address them directly.

“We are not hearing you! Come down from the armour (armoured vehicle)!” some of the youths shouted back, expressing frustration over what they perceived as a disconnect between the government and the suffering community.

Responding to their demands, Governor Mutfwang said, “If you keep mute, I will come to wherever you want me to come.”

The atmosphere remained charged as mourning residents wailed and shouted, with emotions running high.

For several minutes, the scene was chaotic, as grief-stricken families lamented their losses and youths demanded immediate action. Calm was eventually restored after sustained appeals from community leaders.

Addressing the crowd again, the governor said he had not slept since news of the attack broke.

“I came here not because you asked me to come. I did not set my eyes on sleep. I want you to know that I did not sleep in Jos,” he said.

“I know you are all angry about the incident that happened. I know you are all crying. As you see me also, I am crying about the situation.”

He appealed for calm and urged the residents to exercise patience despite their pain and anger.

“However, I want you to exercise patience. We should all calm down and listen to each other,” he added.

Despite the governor’s plea, many of the aggrieved youths insisted on immediate government action, including a relaxation of the curfew imposed in the area, which they said was compounding their hardship.

The latest attack has once again raised concerns over the persistent insecurity in Plateau State, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities that have suffered repeated assaults by armed groups.

Residents say the frequency of such attacks, coupled with slow security response, has deepened distrust and frustration among the people.

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