The lives of Nigerian citizens have tragically become 'playthings in the hands of gunmen,' a stark reality echoed by the recent devastating attack on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State. This tragedy, occurring on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian calendar day, claimed the lives of more than 25 individuals who were mercilessly shot by gunmen on motorbikes. The attackers opened fire sporadically on traders and commuters, leaving behind a scene of bullet-ridden bodies, and as has become characteristic in Nigeria, security forces only arrived more than an hour later, by which time the perpetrators had long escaped. Eyewitnesses captured the gruesome event on camera phones, quickly disseminating the tragedy across social media.

This is not the first time Angwan Rukuba has faced such horror; on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2010, a bomb blast in the same vicinity claimed numerous lives of residents engaged in Christmas shopping. The recurrence of attacks on the eve of major Christian festivals, such as Christmas and Easter, raises critical questions about the terrorists' motives: Is it purely to instill fear, or does it signal a descent into more horrendous barbarism within urban centers?

Since Nigeria's return to civil rule in 1999, violence has become an entrenched aspect of the nation, leading to a lingering state of insecurity across communities and regions, with severe economic repercussions. Innocent and impoverished Nigerians frequently lose their lives while navigating the country's harsh economic realities. During the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007), extremist groups were linked to an attack on the Nigerian Army barracks in Kaduna in 2000. Obasanjo primarily grappled with violent local militia in the Niger Delta demanding resource control and the introduction of Sharia law in Zamfara State. Despite being a former military man, his perceived helplessness was compounded by the Nigerian Army's heavy deployment of military might against unarmed civilian populations in Zakibiam and Odi in Benue and Bayelsa States, respectively.

The era of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2010-2015) witnessed a pervasive escalation of banditry and terrorism, with Boko Haram becoming responsible for almost all violent activities, including bombings, assassinations, and the infamous abduction of 276 Chibok girls in 2014. Rumors suggested powerful individuals destabilized his government with arms and bandits in 2015, threatening civil war if he did not concede election defeat. Regardless of their veracity, Jonathan is widely seen as having failed to protect citizens and rescue the Chibok girls, many of whom remain in captivity.

Terrorism continued unabated under Jonathan's successor, Muhammadu Buhari, also a former military leader. Buhari initially promised to defeat terrorists within three months, even moving the Nigerian Army headquarters to Maiduguri. However, this proved to be grandstanding, as Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), defied the state with brazen attacks on civilians and security agents. The scale of attacks during Buhari's regime overshadowed Jonathan's, with notable incidents including the Kuje Correctional Center attack (July 2022), the Abuja-Kaduna train attack (March 2022), and the St Xavier Catholic Church Owo bombing (June 2022). Mass kidnappings, such as 344 schoolboys in Kankara and 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, also occurred. Official reports indicate that over 53,418 Nigerians perished between May 2015 and October 2022 under Buhari's watch.

The current administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also vowed to defeat terrorism, yet the loss of lives to terror-related violence persists almost daily. Recent weeks have seen suicide bombers kill 23 in Maiduguri, over 160 people killed in Woro, Kwara State (February 3, 2026), at least 50 villagers killed and women/children abducted in Tungun Dutse, Zamfara State (February 2026), and attacks in Maru (March 25, 2026) and Chikun/Kajuru (March 31, 2026) in Kaduna State. These add to recent incidents in Riyom and Bokkos in Plateau State and the abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna, alongside an ambush that killed nine Nigerian Army soldiers, prompting the President to donate his salary to their families.

The consistent government response – 'we are on top of the situation, we shall bring the perpetrators to justice' – is dismissed as old, outworn clichés and falsehoods. The critique suggests that the ruling elite, from Obasanjo to Tinubu, share a predictable indifference to ordinary citizens, prioritizing political power and electoral victories (such as the 2027 polls) over providing security. It is argued that the Nigerian state itself, through unscrupulous politicians sponsoring terror groups for political objectives, might be a perpetrator of these attacks. The government's claim of waging war against terrorism is labeled a 'sham,' and changes in Service Chiefs are seen as mere 'ruse,' not solutions. This grim reality forces citizens to bury loved ones daily while politicians engage in celebratory rallies.

In response to the Angwan Rukuba tragedy, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Rilwan Disu, visited Jos, expressing profound sorrow and pledging the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to restoring peace and stability. The IGP met with affected community members and the injured in hospitals, offering comfort and reassurance. As investigations proceed, seven suspects, including an individual impersonating a soldier, have been arrested. During discussions with Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang, the IGP described the attack as "painful and unacceptable" and vowed that justice would be served. Governor Muftwang commended the IGP's prompt visit and actions, including the swift deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Operations, which helped stabilize the situation. The Governor also praised the state Commissioner of Police and Mobile Police units for their courage and professionalism, appealing for the deployment of additional personnel to enhance security and foster an environment conducive to investment and economic growth. The IGP's visit underscores the serious nature of the incident and highlights the joint commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and the Plateau State Government to reinstate peace and stability in the region.

The poignant observation remains: the lives of both soldiers and civilians are deemed worthless by a leadership perceived to be steeped in lies and untruths. With the government seemingly incapable of protecting its population or effectively engaging with rebel groups, the time has come for Nigerian citizens to devise their own means of self-protection. For the government, it seems, elections are priceless, while the lives of its citizens are not. Professor JEFF GODWIN DOKI, a commentator on national issues, weeps for all Nigerian citizens who have lost their lives to these avoidable attacks.