Tension gripped Kassa community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Friday, September 25,2026, after gunmen killed three vigilantes in an overnight attack.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 1am and opened fire on the vigilantes who were keeping watch. The community’s youth leader was among those killed.
The killings triggered protests by women and youths, who blocked the Jos-Barkin Ladi highway, disrupting traffic and demanding improved security.
A resident, John Dung, said the victims belonged to a local vigilante group that helped protect the community and respond to security threats.
The protesters also demanded the withdrawal of soldiers stationed in the community, expressing frustration over recurring attacks despite the security presence.
One of the protesters, Esther Pam, said residents were tired of losing loved ones and urged security agencies to apprehend the attackers.
“We are tired of people being killed and security operatives would just sit and do nothing. We urge them to go after the attackers,” she said.
The spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the killings and called for urgent security action.
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Tengwong said the victims had been helping to protect the community and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.
The attack came four days after the Plateau State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas following renewed violence.
The curfew, which began on Monday, September 21, 2026, restricts movement between 6pm and 6am daily until further notice. The government also banned motorcycles in the affected areas.
Despite the restrictions, violence persisted in Barkin Ladi. On September 22, a security operative attached to Operation Rainbow was killed in an ambush along Gagshi Road between Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, while three civilians were killed separately at Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu.
The latest attack followed another incident on September 16, when three vigilantes were reportedly killed while on night duty in NTV community, Barkin Ladi.
The Plateau State Government condemned Friday’s attack and appealed to the protesters to reopen the highway.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said security agencies were working to apprehend the perpetrators and assured motorists that the Jos-Barkin Ladi highway remained open.
Security personnel were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent further escalation.