Angry women from Gashish community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State have destroyed a military checkpoint during a mass protest over repeated attacks in their area.

The protesters accused security forces of failing to protect residents and alleged possible collaboration with attackers.

Videos circulating on social media showed the women in large numbers vandalising the checkpoint while expressing frustration over the continued violence in the community.

They claimed that security operatives had “lost touch with reality,” allowing armed groups to repeatedly attack residents without effective intervention. Many of the women, visibly emotional, decried the persistent violence affecting youths, women, and the elderly.

The protesters called on government and security agencies to urgently step in and restore peace, insisting that lives were being lost with little or no accountability.

A mother of four, Mercy Dachung, said the community was exhausted by recurring deaths.

“We are tired of burying our children and husbands. The soldiers are here, yet we are still dying. If they cannot protect us, they should leave our land,” she said.

Another resident, Nancy Gyang, accused security operatives of delayed response during attacks.

“Each time we are attacked, we call them. They come after we have counted our losses. Are they with us or with the killers? We removed that checkpoint because it has not stopped the attacks,” she said.

Women leader Chundung Bot also said the community had lost confidence in the security presence, describing the situation as unbearable.

The protest follows renewed attacks in parts of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly invaded communities on Sunday night, killing six people and forcing residents to flee.