Tension continues in Jos, Plateau State, after authorities released two young men arrested over alleged arson.
The Nigerian Army arrested the suspects on April 2 in Dutse Uku, an area in Jos North. The arrest followed reprisal attacks linked to the March 29 killings in Unguwan Rukuba, where at least 27 people died. Authorities had imposed a 48-hour curfew after the violence.
A day after the arrest, Army Headquarters accused the suspects of taking part in arson and violence in the area.
Five days later, the situation changed during burial rites for victims of the Unguwan Rukuba attack.
A group of protesters, mostly women dressed in black, blocked the removal of corpses. They insisted that authorities release the detained suspects before the burial could proceed.
The protest drew the attention of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who reportedly ordered the release of the suspects.
A community leader, Sarki Aru of Tina, later said the two men were not involved in the attacks. In a video circulating online, he claimed they were defending property.
He said the burned house belonged to a man and that the suspects tried to protect nearby homes.
After their release, residents welcomed the two men in Unguwan Rukuba. Videos showed crowds cheering as they returned.
The development has raised concerns about due process and the rule of law.
Observers warn that releasing suspects under public pressure could weaken trust in security agencies and the justice system. They also say it may set a dangerous precedent in conflict situations.
Key questions about the March 29 killings remain unresolved, especially the identity of those behind the attack.
As tensions persist in Plateau State, many fear that justice and lasting peace may remain out of reach.
