Tension erupted in Kassa community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday morning after gunmen killed three vigilantes, including the youth leader of the community. The attackers stormed the community at about 1am, opening fire on the vigilantes who were keeping watch. The victims were members of a local vigilante group that had been working to safeguard residents from attacks. Their deaths have sparked anger among residents, particularly women and youths.
Women and youth in the community blocked the major Jos-Barikin Ladi Highway, protesting against the attack. The protesters called on soldiers stationed in the area to leave the community, expressing frustration over the repeated attacks despite the presence of security personnel. The killing of the vigilantes has heightened fear among residents, who are tired of losing loved ones to attacks. Residents are demanding that security agencies take action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
A resident of the community, John Dung, confirmed that the victims were members of a local vigilante group that had been involved in efforts to safeguard residents. He said the killing of the vigilantes sparked anger among residents, particularly women and youths, who took to the streets and blocked the major highway linking the community with Mangu. The community has been plagued by repeated attacks, and residents are calling for urgent action to protect them.
One of the protesters, Mrs Esther Pam, lamented the killings, saying residents were tired of losing their loved ones to attacks. She urged security operatives to go after the attackers and bring them to justice. The protesters are demanding that authorities take urgent steps to protect communities in Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State. The state government had recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three LGAs, including Barikin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu, to restore normalcy.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has condemned the killings, describing them as sad and disturbing. The BYM spokesman, Rwang Tengwong, said the victims were killed while protecting their community, adding that their deaths had further heightened fear among residents. He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to track down the attackers and bring them to justice.
The killing of the vigilantes is a serious setback to local efforts to protect residents. The vigilantes had been contributing to the security of the community by keeping watch and responding to threats. The BYM spokesman urged authorities to take urgent steps to protect communities in Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for action to be taken to prevent further attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to inquiry on the incident. The incident has highlighted the need for increased security measures in the area, with residents demanding that authorities take action to protect them. The state government and security agencies are yet to comment on the incident, but residents are hopeful that action will be taken soon to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Key points
- The killing of the vigilantes has sparked protests and calls for security agencies to take action in Plateau State's Kassa community.
- The state government had recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three LGAs, including Barikin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu, to restore normalcy.
- The incident has highlighted the need for increased security measures in the area, with residents demanding that authorities take action to protect them.
