Families of victims killed in an attack in central Nigeria's Jos a week ago are calling on the government to do more to protect lives and property.
Gunmen attacked the Ungwan Rukuba community, opening fire and killing about 30 people on March 29.
Ferdinand Habila Gapsiso lost his 24-year-old son Makburi in the attack. As friends and family condoled them in a memorial service, the father recounted the devastation of losing a child.
"When we turned to the other side, where they laid the corpses down on the floor, the first person that we saw was [Makburi]. This child was my hope. We have struggled for him to get to that stage, and suddenly they cut his life short. It was so painful, so painful," Gapsiso said.
The government has described the incident as a terror attack. The area is home to several staff and students from the local university, and many of them have since left the city.
The government has also imposed a curfew in Jos North local government area, where the Ungwar Rukuba community is located, as part of the measures to restore law and order in the city.
Jos, and other parts of Plateau State have a history of violent attacks. Community leaders say there is now growing distrust among residents. They want the government to arrest the perpetrators, and ensure they are exposed and punished to serve as a deterrence.
"We have laws in this country. We have the anti-terrorism act that has spelled out what is to be done to anybody who has been found to be culpable. We should be having the political will to make sure that we go all out and let whoever is the perpetrator, found to be guilty to face the wrath of the law. Once we do that, it will send a lot of signals down the spines of people," said Esthon Gapsiso, a community leader.
President Bola Tinubu visited Jos to condole with families on Wednesday. He says the government will deploy 5,000 intelligence-enabled cameras to support peace operations in the state.
"Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and prosperity, not to comfort and create widows and widowers, to bring prosperity as a promise, to bring inclusiveness as a government, to share in the hope and aspirations of everyone, to lead our youths," Tinubu said during the visit.
The president has also scheduled meetings with opinion leaders in the state, to discuss more ways to address the security challenges.
Defense authorities say they have approved deployment of 850 additional troops to Jos, and other parts of Plateau. They say an investigation is also underway to identify those behind the killings.
Residents demand more effective protection measures after deadly attack on community in Jos
Residents demand more effective protection measures after deadly attack on community in Jos
