Plateau youths protest killings, call for state police to boost security

The protesters, frustrated by the unending killings, lamented that even security operatives are no longer safe.

Youths from the Coalition of Northern Zone Ethnic Nationalities and Plateau Youth Coalition on Wednesday protested at the Plateau State Government House in Jos, demanding action against the persistent attacks and insecurity in the state.

The protesters, frustrated by the unending killings, lamented that even security operatives are no longer safe.

In a latest attack, gunmen on Tuesday night stormed Rim Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed two persons.

Some villagers who confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday said two others were also injured during the incident, which saw the gunmen engage in sporadic shooting that lasted for several minutes.

“The attackers invaded the Rim community around 10:30 pm, firing gunshots indiscriminately before fleeing into the surrounding bushes,” one of the villagers, John Sati, said.

According to Sati, the two injured victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, Rwang Tengwong, who also confirmed the attack, lamented the situation, saying the community was thrown into panic by the sudden attack.

“Gunmen stormed Rim Village around 10 pm and opened fire sporadically. As of now, two people have been confirmed killed, while two others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital,” Tengwong said.

He described the attack as another sad episode in the recurring insecurity plaguing parts of Riyom and other communities in Plateau State, calling on security agencies to intensify patrols and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Plateau Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, to comment on the incident were unsuccessful, as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

Expressing worry and concern, the President of the Plateau Youth Coalition, Ezekiel Peter Bini, lamented the killing of security personnel in Kanam Local Government Area, among other killings.

“If security agents who are supposed to protect us can be ambushed and killed, then what about us civilians? Our lives are now at the mercy of God.”

President of the Berom Youth Movement, Dalyop Mwantiri, warned that terrorists displaced from the North-East and North-West were relocating to Plateau State, targeting both Christians and Muslims.

He appealed to the international community for military intervention.

The group presented demands to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, urging him to forward them to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent action.

President of the Berom Women Development Association, Ngo Esther Banga, highlighted the plight of women and children, saying, “We cannot stay freely in our homes or look after our children.”

The protesters regretted that Governor Mutfwang was not in office, as he, the deputy governor, and the Secretary to the State Government had travelled for a function.

They, however, vowed to return on Monday to present their grievances directly to the governor.

Plateau launches peace roadmap

This came even as gunmen on Tuesday night stormed Rim Village in Riyom Local Government Area of the state and killed two persons.

Almost 12,000 people have been killed in Plateau State over the past two decades, with over 420 communities attacked and thousands displaced.

The violence, primarily between farmers and herders, has led to widespread destruction and loss of livelihoods.

A fact-finding committee established by the Governor Caleb Mutfwang administration had attributed the violence to a mix of factors, including competition for land, historical grievances, and ethnic mistrust.

Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of the roadmap, which took place at the corporate headquarters of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency in Jos, the state capital, the Director-General of the agency, Dr Julie Sanda, represented by the Director of Programmes, Nantip Joseph, described the launch as a welcome development and a major step towards promoting peace in the region.

She emphasised the need to address the recurring tensions between farmers and herders, which had impacted negatively on man