Youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday barricaded the highway leading to Jos in protest against the killing of 10 persons by gunmen in attacks that began Sunday evening.
The demonstrators, joined by women and other residents, refused repeated appeals to reopen the road, insisting they would not leave until those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.
The violence reportedly claimed 10 lives. Seven people were initially killed during an assault on Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi LGA, leaving three others critically injured.
By Monday morning, two additional bodies were recovered from Dorowa Babuje, while another victim was shot dead in Jol community, Riyom Local Government Area.
Rwang Tengwong, a leader of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, blamed terrorists for the attack, PUNCH reports.
“Yesterday evening, seven persons were brutally killed following an attack by armed Fulani Terrorists at Ratatis, Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area,” he said.
“The attack occurred at about 7:27 pm, leaving three others seriously injured. This morning, two more dead bodies of community members were recovered from Dorowa Babuje, while another person was shot dead in Jol, Riyom local government council of the state.”
One of the protesters, Samson Godiya, voiced frustration over what he described as persistent insecurity and the failure of authorities to safeguard lives.
“We have suffered as a community for too long in the hands of these attackers whom we know to be Fulani herdsmen. For how long shall we continue to be killed without anything being done to stop them. We cannot continue like this,” he said.
“We are tired of promises by the government and security agents to protect us. If they cannot live up to their promises, they should leave us alone.
“A situation where the security people will be there and at the same time, cannot stop the killers from having their way is what we cannot understand.”
The protest caused heavy traffic disruption, affecting motorists traveling from the Shendam and Langtang axes toward Jos, as well as commuters heading out of Jos.
