Anger boils over in Barkin Ladi as protesters burn army checkpoint after fresh attacks

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

Tension has escalated in parts of Plateau State following violent protests by women and youths in communities within Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where military checkpoints were attacked and destroyed amid outrage over persistent killings.

In separate but related incidents in Gashish and Kassa communities, protesters mostly women and youths vented their anger on security formations, accusing operatives of failing to protect residents from recurring attacks by armed groups.

In Gashish community, women staged a mass protest on Monday, dismantling a military checkpoint as they decried continued violence and what they described as the ineffectiveness of security forces deployed to the area.

Eyewitnesses said the protesters, many of them visibly distressed, vandalised the facility while demanding urgent government intervention to end the bloodshed.

“We are tired of burying our children and husbands. The soldiers are here, yet we are still dying. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our land,” said Mercy Dachung.

Another protester, Nancy Gyang, accused security personnel of delayed responses during attacks. “Each time we are attacked, we call them. They come after we have counted our losses. Are they with us or with the killers?” she asked.

Also speaking, women leader Chundung Bot, said residents had lost confidence in the security presence, lamenting that farms had become unsafe and vulnerable groups continued to bear the brunt of the violence.

A similar incident occurred in Kassa community of Kassa District, where angry youths and women reportedly attacked soldiers and set ablaze a military checkpoint at Rapung Kassa late Sunday night.

Security sources said the unrest followed the burial of Gyang Nuhu Choji, a resident allegedly killed days earlier by suspected armed attackers.

The crowd was said to have stormed the checkpoint around 11:40 p.m., destroying makeshift structures and equipment used by troops stationed in the area.

Residents claimed that despite the presence of security operatives, attacks have persisted, forcing many to flee their homes and live in fear.

The protests were triggered by renewed violence in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly launched late-night attacks on communities, killing at least six persons and causing widespread panic.

Meanwhile, the Berom Youth Moulders Association has dismissed social media reports alleging the arrest of “Berom bandits” in Danwal, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The group stated that two residents were recently attacked by suspected bandits, while youths who intervened to rescue one of the victims were instead arrested by security operatives.

It called for the immediate release of the detained youths and urged authorities to focus on apprehending the actual perpetrators behind the attacks.

The incidents underscore growing frustration among residents over insecurity in Plateau communities, with increasing calls for decisive action to restore peace and rebuild public confidence in security operations.