Angry women in Gashish community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Monday pulled down a military checkpoint during a protest against persistent attacks in the area.
The demonstrators, who trooped out in large numbers, vented their frustration over the spate of killings, accusing security operatives of failing to protect residents from armed assailants.
Eyewitnesses said the women vandalised the checkpoint as they decried what they described as continued neglect by security agencies despite repeated assaults on the community.
Some of the protesters alleged that security personnel had become ineffective, allowing attackers to operate freely and inflict hardship on residents.
Many of the women, visibly distraught, lamented that youths, women and the elderly had remained exposed to frequent attacks, calling for urgent intervention to restore safety.
“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, a mother of four.
“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 attacks,” another protester, Nancy Gyang, added.
Also speaking, a women’s leader, Chundung Bot, said the community had lost confidence in the security presence, warning that residents could no longer endure the situation as recent attacks in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area left six persons dead and many displaced.
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