Hundreds of youths and women from various communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday, the 23rd of February, 2026, took to the streets in a peaceful protest over persistent attacks and killings allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani militias.
The demonstration followed a fresh assault on Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje district on Sunday night, where more than 10 persons were reportedly killed. In the course of the protest, the demonstrators blocked the busy Jos-Mangu-Pankshin highway, a major route linking the state capital to central Plateau resulting in heavy traffic congestion stretching into parts of Jos and surrounding areas.
Speaking during the protest, a youth leader, Ishaya Gayus, said residents had grown weary of the recurring violence, which he said has claimed lives, destroyed homes and farmlands, and forced some communities to flee.
He accused authorities of failing to take decisive action despite repeated attacks across the council area. According to him, over 10 communities have been attacked within six months, with more than 50 people killed.
“We have suffered for too long as a community in the hands of these attackers whom we know to be Fulani herdsmen. But For how long shall we continue to be killed without anything being done to stop them?” Gayus lamented.
Another protester criticised what he described as the state government’s inaction and the security agencies’ repeated assurances without tangible results.
“We can not continue like this. We are tired of promises by the government and security agents to protect us. If they can not live up to their promises, they should leave us alone,” he said.
He further alleged that security operatives often ignore distress calls during attacks.
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“When the terrorists attack our communities, we make distress and frantic calls to the security people but they will refuse to come to our aid even when they are close by,” he said.
Also present at the protest was Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), who described the situation as part of an escalating security crisis affecting several communities in the state.
“Yesterday evening, seven persons were brutally killed following an attack by armed Fulani Terrorists at Ratatis, Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The attack occurred at about 7:27 pm, leaving three others seriously injured.
“This morning, two more dead bodies of community members were recovered from Dorowa Babuje, while another person was shot dead in Jol, Riyom local government council of the state,” the BYM Secretary said.
“All we want is justice for the victims and the protection of our communities from these attacks as they are becoming too frequent and a clear attempts to exterminate our people,” Tengwong said.