Nigerian entertainers and public figures have taken to social media to condemn the Palm Sunday massacre in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen opened fire on residents on Sunday evening, killing at least 22 people and injuring several others, with many directing their anger at both the Plateau State government and President Bola Tinubu over what they described as a failure to protect Nigerian lives.
The attack, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. on March 29 at a bar in the Gari Ya Waye community, has sent shockwaves through the country, particularly among entertainers with roots in Plateau State.
Peter Okoye
Singer Peter Okoye, who grew up in Plateau State, expressed raw emotion in his reaction on X. “My heart is heavy… My prayers are with my people in Jos,” he wrote, accompanied by a string of broken heart emojis.
In a separate post that surfaced amid the outrage, Peter also directly questioned the Nigerian government’s response, expressing disbelief that a confirmed death toll of dozens had not prompted a formal presidential address to the nation. He called the administration’s response incompetent and said the recurring tragedies were “unbearably heart-wrenching.”
Paul Okoye (Rudeboy)
Paul Okoye, Peter’s twin brother and fellow P-Square alumnus, took a sharper tone. “We are not angry enough!!!” he wrote on X. “Maybe na until God come down to earth.” The singer, who was also born in Plateau State, used his platform to challenge what he described as widespread public passivity in the face of repeated security failures.
Mr Macaroni
Comedian and activist Mr Macaroni was the most direct in his criticism of the presidency, writing: “President @officialABAT is running the most useless government in the history of useless governments!!! How many more Nigerians have to die due to this abysmal level of incompetence? Nigerians wake up every day to lament one tragedy or the other. Unbearably heart-wrenching!!!
In a follow-up post, Mr Macaroni said he could not understand how 40 confirmed deaths in Jos had not prompted the president to address the nation. “Zero accountability, zero responsibility!!!” he wrote.
Ice Prince
Jos-born rapper Ice Prince reflected on the community’s long history of suffering. “Since 2001, Jos, Jos, Jos. My people have suffered too much tbh… Thoughts and prayers,” he wrote on X — a reference to the cycle of ethno-religious violence that has plagued the city for over two decades.
Nathaniel Bassey and Jerry Eze
Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey offered prayers rather than political criticism, writing: “JOS! You shall not be broken. The forces of evil in our nation shall never prevail. We shall see their end. It is well with you, Jos. Let there be light!” Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International also reacted, calling on divine protection for the community.
Kunle Remi
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi, who made headlines last week for speaking out about fuel prices, also added his voice to the chorus of condemnation, describing the attack as deeply painful and calling on the government to take decisive action to protect lives in Plateau State.
The celebrity reactions came alongside physical protests on the ground. Hundreds of angry residents took to the streets on Monday morning, defying the 48-hour curfew imposed by the Plateau State government, to protest the killings and demand urgent action from authorities. Protesters gathered at the scene of the attack, expressing outrage over the continued loss of lives in the state.
On social media, users echoed the same frustration. One commenter wrote: “The government in Nigeria has failed over and over again in protecting the lives and property of Nigerians. This government must go.” Another, @Frankline Obi, warned that prolonged insecurity could radicalise youth: “Plateau youths have endured enough pain. When peace is met with bullets, frustration turns to fire.”
The Gari Ya Waye attack occurred on Palm Sunday, the opening of Holy Week in the Christian calendar, in a predominantly Christian community in Jos North. A 48-hour curfew remains in place across Jos North LGA until April 1, 2026. Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attack as barbaric and unprovoked and said security agencies had been mobilised, but no arrests had been announced as of Tuesday morning.