Protesters burn military checkpoint in Plateau community after resident’s burial

The Residents of Kassa community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State reportedly set a military checkpoint on fire after a protest escalated following the burial of a resident allegedly killed by gunmen.

Security sources said the incident happened at the Rapung Kassa checkpoint, where angry youths and women destroyed makeshift structures and equipment used by troops stationed in the area.

What triggered the protest

The unrest followed the burial of Gyang Nuhu Choji, a community member said to have been killed on April 16 by unidentified armed men suspected to be bandits operating in the area.

Residents accused security operatives of failing to prevent repeated attacks in the community, claiming that the military presence had not translated into improved safety.

The protest briefly disrupted movement in and out of the area as demonstrators blocked access roads, before calm was restored after intervention by local leaders and security officials.

See also: Wike pushes PDP reconciliation, urges defectors to return

Security response and wider tensions

Authorities confirmed that no casualties were recorded during the incident, but said surveillance and patrols had been intensified to prevent further escalation.

The unrest comes amid ongoing insecurity in parts of Plateau State, where communities have experienced repeated clashes involving armed groups, suspected bandits, and local militias.

Recent security operations in the region have included raids, arrests, and recoveries of weapons and livestock, reflecting a volatile security environment that continues to strain relations between residents and security forces.

The incident highlights growing frustration in some rural communities over perceived gaps in protection, even as security agencies continue counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations across the region.