Plateau State Plunged Into Further Crisis as Gunmen Kill Three in Fresh Jos South Ambush Following Presidential Visit

Unidentified gunmen killed three people in Jos South just days after President Tinubu's visit. Governor Mutfwang reveals attackers are posing as NDLEA agents.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 11:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News and Channels Television.

A Deadly Ambush in Nyamgo Gyel

The fragile peace in Plateau State has been shattered once again following a lethal ambush in the Nyamgo Gyel area of Jos South Local Government Area. On the afternoon of April 4, 2026, a group of approximately 15 youths returning from a local mining site on motorbikes was intercepted by suspected armed herdsmen. While most managed to flee into the surrounding bush, three victims—identified as Luka Sandu Pam (36), Samuel Davou (38), and Deme Saidu (35)—were caught in the crossfire and killed.

Security Failures Amid Presidential Oversight

The timing of the attack has sparked intense public outcry, as it occurred just 72 hours after President Bola Tinubu visited Jos to address the victims of a previous massacre. Last Sunday, heavily armed gunmen laid siege to the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North, leaving over 10 people dead. The recurrence of violence so soon after a presidential visit highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region and raises questions about the effectiveness of current containment strategies.

Governor Mutfwang: "Security Was Caught Off Guard"

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang addressed the escalating violence during a television interview on April 3, explaining that the recent string of massacres caught security personnel unprepared. Mutfwang revealed that attackers have become increasingly sophisticated, studying the behavior of residents and even mimicking National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operations to bypass security checkpoints. While describing the situation as "unfortunate and worrisome," the governor expressed a cautious hope that the surge in violence would be a "one-off event" as tactical reinforcements arrive.