WOMEN BLOCK HIGHWAY IN PLATEAU OVER KILLING OF 3 VIGILANTES
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HOTJIST NEWS
Tension spread quickly through the Kassa community in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday after armed men killed three local guards, including the community‘s youth leader, during a nighttime patrol.
The deaths led to a protest where women and young people blocked the Jos-Barkin Ladi-Mangu highway, asking for better security and an end to frequent attacks in the area.
The attackers came into the community around 1 am on Friday and started shooting at the guards. A local resident, John Dung, told our reporter that the victims were part of a local group that had been working to keep the area safe.
He said, “The three vigilantes were on duty protecting the community when the gunmen came and shot them dead. They have been the ones helping us to keep watch at night.”
The killings prompted women and youths to block the highway for several hours, disrupting vehicular movement and leaving travellers stranded.
One of the protesters, Esther Pam, said residents were frustrated by the continued attacks despite the presence of security personnel.
She said, “We are tired of our people being killed while security operatives just sit and do nothing. We want them to go after the attackers. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our community.”
Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, described the killings as disturbing.
Tengwong said the victims were killed while defending their community and that their deaths had heightened fear among residents.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest the perpetrators, while urging the government to strengthen security in Barkin Ladi and other vulnerable communities across the state.
Security personnel were later deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The incident came amid renewed attacks on communities in parts of Plateau State, including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom local government areas.
On March 29, gunmen attacked communities in Bassa and Barkin Ladi during the Palm Sunday period, killing several residents and displacing others.
The attacks led to a visit by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to the communities that were affected.
There have been many attacks in Gashish and nearby areas in Barkin Ladi, which have made people leave their homes and caused worries about safety in the region.
During the week, the Plateau State House of Assembly asked for urgent security help and for the full takeover of the Mobile Police barracks in Gashish.
At the same time, the Plateau State Government strongly criticized the Kassa attack, calling it “deeply regrettable and unacceptable.”
In a statement on Friday by Joyce Ramnap, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, the government expressed sympathy to the victims‘ families and said security forces were working to catch those responsible.
The statement also asked people to stay calm and not block the highway, as this could put travelers in danger.
The government also told drivers and other road users that the road was safe and open, and encouraged people to stay alert and work with security officers.
It added that the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang remained committed to strengthening collaboration with security agencies and communities to improve security and sustain peace across the state.
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