Jos — Women and youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday blocked the highway linking the Northern senatorial district of the state to the Central and Southern zones, demanding the release of two armed youths arrested by the Special Task Force.

Our correspondent gathered that the STF arrested two youths on Saturday evening who had resorted to protecting themselves by owning rifles, following perpetual attacks by Fulani gunmen.

STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said; “we arrested two youths who took the law into their hands by owning unlicensed guns”.

Jos — Women and youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday blocked the highway linking the Northern senatorial district of the state to the Central and Southern zones, demanding the release of two armed youths arrested by the Special Task Force.

Our correspondent gathered that the STF arrested two youths (vigilantes) on Saturday evening who had resorted to protecting themselves by owning rifles, following perpetual attacks by Fulani gunmen.

STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said; “we arrested two vigilante (youths) who took the law into their hands by owning unlicensed guns”.

Following the arrests, women and youths on Sunday afternoon blocked the highway in Barkin Ladi in a protest that led them to the STF Sector 7 command, where they demanded release of the arrested youths.

A witness said the protest was relatively peaceful, except for a few skirmishes at the sector 7 of the STF.
Titus Samuel Kasem told our correspondent that the community was angry over the arrest of the youths, adding; “how can they arrest our youths when they use their weapons to protect themselves. What about the Fulanis that terrorise us?”

Iweha said the prompt response of the STF brought the situation under control but said one person sustained minor injuries in the process.
He called on the people to allow security agencies discharge their duties while urging them avail security operatives with timely and useful information.

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Women and Youth in Barkin Ladi protest arrest of vigilantes