Berom youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State staged a massive protest on Friday following the killing of three community vigilantes in the Gassa community. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, has heightened tensions in the region and sparked demands for improved security measures.
According to reports, attackers stormed the community at approximately 1:00 a.m., firing sporadically at the vigilantes who were on duty protecting the area. Among the three victims was the youth leader of the community. The killings have drawn sharp criticism from residents, who expressed frustration over the repeated attacks despite the presence of security personnel in the area.
In response to the violence, women and youths took to the streets, blocking the major highway linking Gassa with Mangu. The protesters demanded better security for their community and called on soldiers stationed in the area to leave, citing a lack of effective response to the ongoing threats. The blockade caused significant tension as residents voiced their anger over the loss of life.
John Dung, a resident of Gassa, confirmed that the victims were members of the local vigilante group tasked with warding off invaders. He noted that these individuals had been actively involved in community guard duties. Similarly, Mrs. Esther Pam decried the killings, stating that residents are exhausted by the continuous loss of loved ones to such attacks.
“We are tired of people being killed and security operatives would just sit and do nothing. We urge them to go after their attackers,” Mrs. Pam said.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), described the incident as disturbing, emphasizing that the victims were killed while performing their duty to protect the community. Tengwong stated that the deaths represent a serious setback to local security efforts, as vigilantes have played a crucial role in keeping watch and responding to threats in the area.
Tengwong called on security agencies to intensify their efforts to track down the attackers and bring them to justice. He further urged authorities to take urgent steps to protect communities in Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State, highlighting the growing fear among residents following the incident.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
