Amnesty International Nigeria has urged government authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into what the organization identifies as a persistent trend of road blockades and killings of travelers in Plateau State. The group articulated concerns that such occurrences severely undermine the rights to life and freedom of movement.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the rights organization indicated that armed youths had recently intercepted a road along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, leading to the deaths of four travelers.
Following this shocking incident, a retaliatory attack occurred in Dorowa Babuje village, claiming the lives of seven others.
"The Nigerian government must address Plateau’s systemic security crisis, which involves road blockades and the murder of travelers," Amnesty stated.
This repeated pattern of violence has been highlighted as part of a broader problem threatening citizens' rights to safety and mobility.
Additionally, the organization referred to earlier instances where travelers have been targets of mob violence in the region.
In June of last year, a mob killed 12 travelers from the Basawa area of Zaria Local Government in Kaduna State while they were passing through Mangu LGA of Plateau State. More than 22 commuters were killed along Rukuba Road in Jos North in August 2021 after attending an Islamic event in Bauchi State.
According to Amnesty, the lack of accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes has emboldened further attacks.
Concerns have risen following the deaths of traders who were en route from Jos to Pankshin Local Government Area for their weekly shoe market. Reports indicate that the bodies of the victims were recovered and laid to rest on Monday evening at the Sabon Anguwa cemetery in Barkin Ladi town.
Government sources disclosed that the burial took place away from the victims’ communities in Jos North to mitigate any potential unrest following the reports of the killings. The deceased traders belonged to the Yandoya community in Jos North LGA.
Danjuma Ibrahim, a youth leader in Barkin Ladi, confirmed the burial. He mentioned, "Earlier on Monday afternoon, we had been informed that the bodies of the traders would be brought to Barkin Ladi for burial. We later received them and conducted the funeral rites. This was done in Barkin Ladi to alleviate tensions in Jos."
Ibrahim stated that six traders were attacked, two of whom survived. "Four were buried. We are urging residents in the state to maintain peace and lawfulness. We also call on the government and security agencies to take necessary actions to curb the rising violence in the affected regions."
Following news of the killings, youths in certain areas of Jos demanded the return of the bodies of their relatives, prompting security forces to ramp up their presence to avoid any escalating conflict.
The recent road killings and subsequent burials have occurred against a backdrop of increasing tensions in Barkin Ladi and its neighboring regions. Previously, at least 10 individuals were reported killed in Ratatis community within Dorowa Babuje LGA during what community leaders labeled a retaliatory attack. These victims were interred in a mass ceremony attended by local residents and officials.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang responded by directing security agencies to intensify their operations and detain those responsible for the violence.
The cycle of assaults, reprisals, and ambushes on the highways has caused growing anxiety among residents and traders who rely on inter-community travel for their subsistence.
Rights organizations assert that beyond strictly enhancing security measures, there is an urgent need to address issues surrounding accountability.
Amnesty International emphasized that the ongoing occurrences of road blockades and the targeting of travelers reflect a significant failure to safeguard citizens and ensure secure passage on public highways.
As tensions remain high in Jos and around Barkin Ladi, local residents believe that achieving lasting peace will require not just arrests but also visible prosecution of those behind the recurrent violence that has profoundly impacted Plateau State.
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