A large number of angry women and youths in Plateau state, yesterday blocked the busy Jos-Abuja highway to protest incessant attacks and killings by gunmen in their communities following the recent killing of two youths in the Hoss community, Riyom Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday night.
The latest protest came just a week after members of Plateau communities blocked the same Jos-Abuja highway, on April 26 to protest the killing of six miners in the Turu community, Jos South Local Government Areas.
Two days before the miners were killed, about seven persons had also been killed in two separate attacks that occurred in Wereng and Heipang communities of Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
The April 26 protest and blockage of the highway caused a heavy gridlock that disrupted human and vehicular movements nearly all day long.
Wednesday’s protest was nearly as serious.
One of the protesters, Gyang Dalyop, who spoke to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday, said, “Our people are not happy with the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities.
“That is why we have come out again to protest these happenings. Could you imagine that two young men were killed again last night (Tuesday). The victims were killed a few metres from a military checkpoint in the community. If the people are not safe and can be killed even close to where soldiers are stationed, then what is their (soldiers’) work in the community?”
Another protester, who gave her name as Hannatu, said the community was tired of the killings and the inability of the security agents to apprehend those behind the acts.
She called on the government to intervene in the situation before the incidents get out of hand.
