Women in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday staged a massive protest against the persistent attacks and killings in their communities, vandalising a military checkpoint during the demonstration.
The protesters marched in large numbers carrying placards with different inscriptions, openly condemning the government and the military for what they described as a failure to protect lives and property.
They accused security operatives of being ineffective and questioned their role in the ongoing violence.
The women expressed deep frustration that despite the presence of soldiers, attacks have continued unabated, leaving many families devastated and communities in fear.
The military, however, reportedly maintained restraint during the protest despite being confronted.
One of the protest leaders, Mercy Dachung, voiced the anger of the group, saying: “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.
“Each time we are attacked, we call them. They come after we have counted our losses. Are they with us or with the killers? We removed that checkpoint because it has not stopped the killers”.
Another leader, Chundung Bot, also decried the worsening security situation, stating: “They tell us they are here for peace, but there is no peace. Our youth are gone, our elderly are gone, and our farms are no longer safe. We want the government to hear us. We cannot continue like this”.
BusinessDay reports that the protest came on the heels of renewed attacks in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly stormed communities late Sunday night and killed six persons.
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