Three vigilantes were killed by gunmen in Kassa community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, sparking a protest by women and youths who blocked the Jos-Barkin Ladi-Mangu highway on Friday.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community around 1am and opened fire on the vigilantes, who were on night patrol. One of the victims was said to be the community’s youth leader.
A resident, John Dung, said the victims were members of a local vigilante group that had been helping to protect the community from attacks.
The killings angered residents, with women and youths blocking the highway for several hours and disrupting traffic as they demanded stronger security measures.
Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, described the killings as disturbing and called on security agencies to identify and arrest the attackers.
Security personnel were later deployed to the area to restore order.
The incident occurred days after the Plateau State Government imposed a 6pm-to-6am curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu local government areas following a wave of attacks.
The Plateau State House of Assembly had also called for emergency security intervention in Barkin Ladi and demanded the full occupation of the Mobile Police Barracks in Gashish following recent attacks.
Reacting to the Kassa attack, the state government condemned the killings as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable” and commiserated with the victims’ families.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government said security agencies were taking steps to apprehend those responsible.
It also urged residents to maintain peace and avoid blocking the highway, assuring motorists that the road was open and safe for travel.
Leave feedback about this