Irate women from the Gashish village in Plateau State’s Barkin Ladi Local Government Area burned a military roadblock on Monday as part of a mass protest against ongoing attacks in their area.
The demonstrators accused security personnel of failing to protect residents and suspected collusion with assailants.
According to sources, the ladies who came out in large numbers vandalized the checkpoint in protest of the community’s ongoing violence.
They claimed that security forces had “lost touch with reality,” allowing armed groups to continue causing misery for communities.
Many of the women, obviously agitated, condemned the ongoing attacks on their community, pointing out that youths, women, and the elderly are still vulnerable.
They urged the government and security agencies to take prompt action to cease the violence and restore peace.
Some demonstrators who spoke during the demonstration requested quick action.
“We are tired of burying our children and husbands. The soldiers are here, yet we are still dying. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our land,” said Mercy Dachung, a mother of four.
Another demonstrator, Nancy Gyang, accused security operatives of indifference.
“Each time we are attacked, we call them. They come after we have counted our losses. Are they with us or with the killers? We removed that checkpoint because it has not stopped the attacks,” she said.
Also speaking, Chundung Bot, a women’s leader, stated that the community had lost trust in the security presence.
“They tell us they are here for peace, but there is no peace. Our youths are gone, our elderly are gone, and our farms are no longer safe. We want the government to hear us. We cannot continue like this,” she said.
The demonstration followed additional attacks in Barkin Ladi and the neighboring Riyom Local Government Area, when gunmen reportedly raided neighborhoods and opened fire on civilians late Sunday night, killing six.
Residents said the occurrences, which occurred at different locations, sparked fear and drove many people to flee their houses.
Meanwhile, Rwang Tengwom, the national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, has denied rumors circulating on social media claiming “Berom bandits” were captured in Danwal, calling the assertion fake and misleading.
According to the group, two locals were recently attacked by suspected armed bandits, and local youngsters who rescued one of the victims were later detained by security.
The organization demanded the immediate release of the arrested teenagers and encouraged security services to focus on apprehending the true criminals.
