Youths in Plateau State on Wednesday staged a protest at the Government House, Jos, decrying persistent killings and rising insecurity across the state.
The protesters, drawn from the Coalition of Northern Zone Ethnic Nationalities and the Plateau Youth Coalition, converged on the Government House at about 11 a.m., expressing outrage over continued attacks on rural communities and what they described as a worsening security situation.
Speaking during the protest, President of the Plateau Youth Coalition, Ezekiel Peter Bini, said the demonstration was triggered by a recent attack in Kanam Local Government Area, where about 14 security personnel were reportedly killed.
“If security agents who are supposed to protect us can be ambushed, then what about civilians? Our lives are increasingly at risk,” he said.
Bini also cited ongoing reports of attacks, including a recent incident in Rim, Riyom Local Government Area, as evidence of the growing insecurity.
Also addressing the crowd, President of the Berom Youth Movement and Chairman of the Northern Zone Coalition, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, alleged that displaced insurgents from other regions were relocating to Plateau and the wider Middle Belt, further compounding the security challenges.
He noted that the violence has cut across religious and ethnic lines, and called for stronger collaboration between the state government and international partners to tackle the crisis.
The protesters said they had compiled a list of demands to be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging immediate intervention to safeguard lives and property.
In her remarks, President of the Berom Women Development Association, Ngo Esther Banga, highlighted the impact of the violence on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. She said the attacks have led to an increase in widows and orphans, and stressed the need for peace to restore normalcy and revive tourism in the state.
The group acknowledged the absence of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, his deputy, and the Secretary to the State Government, who were said to be away on official duties. However, they vowed to reconvene on Monday to present their grievances directly to the governor.
The protest ended peacefully, with participants warning that they would return in larger numbers if urgent action is not taken to address the security situation.
Like this:
Like Loading…
