Youths Block Jos Highway Over Fresh Killings in Plateau Communities
Youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday barricaded the highway leading to Jos in protest over the killing of 10 people by gunmen in coordinated attacks that began on Sunday evening.
The demonstrators, joined by women and other residents, refused appeals to reopen the road, insisting they would maintain the blockade until those responsible for the attacks are apprehended and brought to justice.
Reports indicate that seven people were initially killed during an assault on Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi LGA, at about 7:27 pm on Sunday. Three others sustained serious injuries in the attack.
By Monday morning, two additional bodies were recovered from Dorowa Babuje, while another person was shot dead in Jol community in neighbouring Riyom LGA, bringing the total death toll to 10.
Rwang Tengwong, leader of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, described the attackers as terrorists and condemned the violence.
He said the community had once again been thrown into mourning following the deadly raid, noting that residents were increasingly frustrated by recurring attacks.
One of the protesters, Samson Godiya, decried what he described as persistent insecurity and alleged lapses by security agencies.
According to him, the community has endured repeated assaults and is disillusioned by what he termed unfulfilled promises of protection by government authorities and security operatives.
The protest caused significant traffic disruption, stranding motorists travelling from the Shendam and Langtang areas to Jos, as well as those heading out of the state capital.
Efforts to obtain comments from Alfred Alabo, spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, were unsuccessful as he was unavailable at the time of filing this report.
