By Stephen Simon
Kassa community in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State was on Friday gripped with palpable tension after gunmen killed three vigilantes, including the community youth leader, during a night patrol.
The killings triggered a protest by women and youths, who barricaded the Jos-Barkin Ladi-Mangu highway, demanding improved security and an end to recurring attacks in the area.
The attackers were said to have stormed the community around 1 am on Friday and opened fire on the vigilantes.
Reports monitored on Punch Online indicate that a resident, John Dung, stated that the victims were members of the local vigilante group who had been helping to secure the community.
He said, “The three vigilantes were on duty protecting the community when the gunmen came and shot them dead. They have been the ones helping us to keep watch at night.”
The killings prompted women and youths to block the highway for several hours, disrupting vehicular movement and leaving travellers stranded.
One of the protesters, Esther Pam, said residents were frustrated by the continued attacks despite the presence of security personnel.
She said, “We are tired of our people being killed while security operatives just sit and do nothing. We want them to go after the attackers. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our community.”
Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, described the killings as disturbing.
Tengwong said the victims were killed while defending their community and that their deaths had heightened fear among residents.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest the perpetrators, while urging the government to strengthen security in Barkin Ladi and other vulnerable communities across the state.
Security personnel were later deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The incident came amid renewed attacks on communities in parts of Plateau State, including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom local government areas.
On March 29, gunmen attacked communities in Bassa and Barkin Ladi during the Palm Sunday period, killing several residents and displacing others.
The attacks prompted a condolence visit by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to affected communities.
Also, repeated attacks in Gashish and neighbouring communities in Barkin Ladi have displaced residents and heightened concerns over the security of the area.
The Plateau State House of Assembly had, during the week, called for emergency security intervention and the full occupation of the Mobile Police barracks in Gashish.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government condemned the Kassa attack, describing it as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable.”
In a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government commiserated with the families of the victims and said security agencies were taking steps to apprehend the perpetrators.
The statement urged residents to maintain peace and desist from blocking the highway, saying such action could put travellers at risk.
The government also assured motorists and other road users that the road was clear and open, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
