Plateau State youths in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Monday blocked the highway leading to Jos to protest the killing of community members by gunmen who attacked the area on Sunday.
The youths, who were joined by women and other sympathizers, have sworn to stay on the road until the attackers are caught and prosecuted. They have rejected all requests to leave.
One of the protesters, Samson Godiya, lamenting the situation, said, “We have suffered as a community for too long in the hands of these attackers whom we know to be Fulani herdsmen. For how long shall we continue to be killed without anything being done to stop them?
“We can not continue like this. We are tired of promises by the government and security agents to protect us. If they cannot live up to their promises, they should leave us alone. A situation where the security people will be there and, at the same time, cannot stop the killers from having their way is what we cannot understand.”
Chronicle NG reports that the death toll in the latest wave of violent attacks in the community had risen to 10, following the recovery of additional bodies from affected communities in Barkin Ladi on Monday.
The attack, which took place in Barkin Ladi LGA on Sunday night, is a part of the state’s escalating security crisis, as gunmen have targeted other towns on multiple occasions, resulting in a high death toll and the forced relocation of residents.
Rwang Tengwong, a community leader with the Berom Youth Moulders Association, told the press in Jos on Monday that the remains had been recovered.
Tengwong said, “Yesterday evening, seven persons were brutally killed following an attack by armed Fulani terrorists at Ratatis, Dorowa Babuje, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The attack occurred at about 7:27 pm, leaving three others seriously injured.
“This morning, two more dead bodies of community members were recovered from Dorowa Babuje, while another person was shot dead in Jol, Riyom local government council of the state.”
According to Tengwong, the injured victims are still recuperating after being sent to local hospitals for immediate medical care.
Drivers from the Shendam and Langtang axis have been prevented from traveling to Jos as a result of the youngsters’ action, according to our correspondent, while those from Jos are awaiting permission to proceed.
In separate interviews, a few demonstrators informed newsmen that the route will continue to be stopped and that “those who killed our people are brought to justice.”
As of the time this report was filed, Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, could not be reached for comment.
