Security operatives in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, in Saturday, struggled to control protesting youths, who blocked roads over killing of their kinsmen by unknown gunmen.
There had been reported cases of killing of innocent people within Arangai and Mangu Halle villages with the latest on Friday, when two children of a clergy were killed in cold blood.
DAILY POST reports that the protesters gathered at Mangu Halle village where they blocked the new Mangu-Mamaraban Foron- Busa-Buji road and Mangu – Barkin-Ladi road.
The situation disrupted traffic flow and affected motorists enroute Jos to Pankshin or Shendam.
The youths, who were chanting “enough of the killings” and “we are tired of security agencies’ excuses”, among others, made five barricades along both roads, burning worn-out tires.
One of them, Mr Dawash, said “Last Sunday a young man was killed by the so-called unknown gunmen at Arangai.
“Just yesterday evening, two kids of a man of God were killed. We are tired of the security situation in Mangu Local Government where our loved ones are being killed.
The President of Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM), Mr Gayus Dapul, told our correspondent that “the protest is to send a message to the stakeholders in Plateau that the youths and the people of Mangu are not happy with the security situation in the area.”
“Our people are being attacked and killed on daily basis without just cause; we can’t sit down and watch our people dying like fowls if the security operatives are failing us.”
Dapul called on the Federal and State Governments to rise to the challenge of giving the people of Mangu the desired protection of their lives and property.
According to him, “We the people of Mangu are known as peace loving people and whenever you see us demonstrate in this manner, it means we have been pushed to the wall.”
When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau Police Command, ASP Mathias Terna Tyopev, said “We are trying our best to control the situation in Mangu before it gets out of hand; thank God the youth leaders are cooperating with us to reopen the two roads blocked.
“We are not happy about the killings alleged to have taken place in the area, but we have been doing our best to ensure that law and order is maintain in all nooks and crannies of the state.
“Two wrongs cannot make a right. I call on the youths to allow the security operatives get to the root of the killings to apprehend the culprits and prosecute them in accordance with the law”.
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