Protesters on Tuesday clashed with security operatives at the ECWA Gospel Church in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State, disrupting the funeral service for seven victims of recent terrorist attacks.
The demonstrators, largely women and children, alleged that three youths had been arrested despite defending their community during the violence. They called for their immediate release, insisting that “those arrested are not bandits.”
The situation escalated as angry youths and women blocked the church entrance, preventing mourners from accessing the venue for the planned mass burial.
The protest comes barely a week after a wave of violence rocked the area. On March 29, 2026, residents of Gari Ya Waye, a settlement in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, were attacked by heavily armed gunmen.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, numbering over 20, stormed the community between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately. At least 28 people were killed. Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the incident as a “senseless attack on law-abiding citizens.”
Several survivors, many with serious injuries, were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Reacting to the attack, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, condemned the violence and ordered the deployment of security personnel to restore calm and apprehend those responsible. He also sympathised with affected residents, describing the incident as “unfortunate.”
As part of response efforts, the IGP deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu Nadada, to the state “to assess the security situation, coordinate ongoing operations, and strengthen the existing security architecture.”
He added that security measures had been reinforced through “the deployment of additional tactical teams, Police Mobile Force units, and intelligence operatives, working alongside other security agencies to address the situation and forestall any further breakdown of law and order across the state.”
The funeral, meant to honour the victims and foster unity within the community, was ultimately overshadowed by protests, tension, and fear, underscoring the persistent insecurity in Angwan Rukuba.
Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar Shehu, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Army personnel, attacking his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.
The suspect, a native of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to the statement, the command received a written petition on October 22 from a resident of Gida Dubu area of Bauchi, who alleged that the suspect had contacted him seeking employment as a driver at his pure water factory.
The petitioner said the suspect contacted him on October 18 and was invited for an interview and driving assessment.
However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before fleeing with the employer's vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly stolen.
The police said detectives subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.
A search conducted on him led to the recovery of several Nigerian Army uniforms and military items, including desert camouflage, green camouflage, a jungle hat, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.
The stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The statement said the suspect allegedly presented himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of security agencies' identities to perpetrate crimes.
He said: "The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime."
The police commissioner further assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He added: "The suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court."
The police said the arrest followed intelligence-led policing, while the recovered vehicle and military items would serve as exhibits in the investigation.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashir Obasa, has declared that the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has what it takes to succeed the current Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa made this declaration while addressing journalists at Hamzat's formal manifesto presentation.
The event was held at Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the event took place on Friday.
DAILY POST gathered that Hamzat is the current deputy governor of the state.
He eyed the position in 2019 before he was persuaded to deputise the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa while speaking at the event on Friday, expressed confidence in Hamzat's ability to deliver on his campaign promises.
He explained that Hamzat’s educational background and wealth of experience in private and public offices are enough for him to deliver.
Obasa while speaking said, "He has the competence, character, and most importantly, the determination to rewrite the Lagos State socio-economic narrative".