Tension escalated in Plateau State on Monday as enraged women from Gashish community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area pulled down a military checkpoint during a mass protest against relentless attacks that have continued to claim lives in the area.
The dramatic action followed fresh violence that has left residents grieving, with the women openly accusing security operatives of failing in their primary duty to safeguard lives and property.
Some protesters also raised suspicions of possible compromise by those deployed to protect the community.
Eyewitnesses said the demonstrators, who trooped out in large numbers, stormed the checkpoint and vandalised it, venting their anger over what they described as unchecked killings and worsening insecurity.
Clad in mourning and visibly distraught, many of the women lamented that repeated attacks had left no category of residents spared, as youths, children, women and the elderly continue to bear the brunt.
They urged both the Federal Government and security agencies to act decisively to halt the bloodshed and restore normalcy to the troubled communities.
One of the protesters, Mercy Dachung, decried the situation, saying the presence of security personnel had done little to stop the killings.
“We are tired of burying our loved ones. The soldiers are stationed here, yet we keep losing lives. If they cannot protect us, they should leave,” she said.
Another demonstrator, Nancy Gyang, accused security operatives of responding only after attacks had been carried out.
“Whenever we call for help, they arrive when the damage has been done. We don’t understand whose side they are on. That checkpoint did not protect us, so we removed it,” she stated.
Also speaking, a women’s leader, Chundung Bot, said the community had completely lost confidence in the security architecture in the area.
“They claim to be here for peace, but there is no peace. Our people are being wiped out and our farms abandoned. We want the government to listen to us. This cannot continue,” she said.
The protest came on the heels of fresh attacks in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly struck late Sunday night, killing six persons in separate incidents and forcing many residents to flee.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwom, dismissed viral claims alleging the arrest of “Berom bandits” in Danwal, describing the report as false.
He explained that the individuals in question were local youths who had assisted in rescuing victims of a recent attack but were later apprehended by security personnel.
The group called for their immediate release and urged authorities to focus on tracking down those responsible for the killings rather than targeting innocent residents.