Authorities in central Nigeria have imposed a total lockdown on a major city district following a drive-by shooting that left at least six people dead.

The Plateau State government declared a 48-hour curfew in the Jos North local government area, effective from midnight on Sunday, after gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on civilians in the Angwan Rukuba community.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of “pure terrorism” as the attackers targeted people returning from evening church services and roadside traders.

‘Targeted and unprovoked’

The State Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, confirmed that the curfew—running until 1 April—was a necessary response to a “tragic security incident” that has once again plunged the regional capital into mourning.

Residents said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles, weaving through the Gari Ya Waye area and shooting indiscriminately before vanishing before security forces could arrive.

“I have never seen anything like this,” said one resident, Janet Pam. “Among those shot dead was my neighbour, who was just returning from church. They targeted anyone moving on the road.”

A pattern of violence

Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for ethno-religious tensions and resource-based conflict in Nigeria’s “Middle Belt.” While the state capital, Jos, has enjoyed periods of relative calm, the surrounding rural areas have been devastated by a resurgence of violence in recent months.

The latest killings follow a grim timeline:

• March 2026: 20 security operatives killed in an ambush in the Kanam district.
• 2025: Coordinated attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi left over 100 dead.
• Christmas 2023: More than 140 villagers were massacred in a series of raids that drew international condemnation.

Analysis: The ‘Motorcycle’ menace

For many in Jos, the use of motorcycles in this attack is a stinging reminder of a security loophole. Despite various bans on commercial cycles in the city metropolis, they remain the preferred vehicle for “hit-and-run” insurgent tactics due to their ability to navigate narrow alleys and bypass military checkpoints.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described the attack as “barbaric,” but the immediate challenge for his administration is preventing retaliatory violence. Shortly after the shooting, angry youths reportedly blocked major roads in protest, highlighting the fragile peace that defines life in Jos.

With the city now under a forced quiet, the government faces growing pressure to move beyond temporary curfews and address the “intelligence gap” that allows motorcycle-borne gunmen to strike the heart of the city and escape with impunity.