The main road linking Barkin Ladi to Mangu was sealed by residents after a pre-dawn attack in Gassa left three members of the community’s vigilante force dead, creating a tense atmosphere and long delays for motorists. Witnesses said the assailants entered the village at about 1am and opened fire on men who were on duty guarding the community. One of the dead was Gassa’s youth leader, and all three victims belonged to the local vigilante group that had been helping protect residents from attacks.
John Dung, a Gassa resident, said the killings enraged people and sparked immediate street action. Women and youths led the protest, stopping traffic and demonstrating against what they described as persistent insecurity despite the presence of security personnel in the area. During the demonstration one woman, Mrs Esther Pam, spoke for many when she said, “We are tired of people being killed, and security operatives would just sit and do nothing. We urge them to go after their attackers.”
Protesters also demanded that soldiers stationed nearby leave the town, expressing frustration with what they see as inaction. Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, called the killings sad and disturbing and said the vigilantes had been contributing to safety by keeping watch and responding to threats. Tengwong urged security agencies to intensify operations to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
The roadblock caused gridlock and stranded travellers for hours before security personnel were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation. Efforts to obtain a response from security operatives were unsuccessful before this report was filed. Local leaders and the Berom Youth Moulders-Association have urged authorities to take urgent measures to protect communities across Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State and to pursue those responsible for the killings.
