Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Mr John Kyoro Christopher, has condemned the killing of five innocent Hausa youths by protesting Birom Youths along the Nding axis of the council area, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

Christopher, who addressed journalists in Jos North, said the victims were young men from Jos North Local Government Area Traveling to their various businesses when they were attacked and killed for committing no offence.

Zagazola reports that the incident occurred hours after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits allegedly killed seven persons in a reprisal attack in Dorowa Babuje village on Feb. 22.

Following the earlier attack, some irate youths reportedly blocked the road along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi LGA and began attacking commuters identified as Hausa. Four persons were allegedly selected and killed on the spot, while a fifth later died from injuries sustained during the attack.

The victims were said to be Hausa indigenes of Jos North, a development that heightened tension in parts of the Jos metropolis, including Terminus and Gangare areas. Which Prompted immediately security response from Joint troops of Operation Enduring Peace.

Reacting to the incident, Christopher condemned the action in the strongest terms.

“These were young, promising men travelling to carry out legitimate businesses. They were not armed and did nothing to provoke anyone. Stopping travellers and killing them is not our culture. It is totally unacceptable,” he said.

He described the perpetrators as individuals without conscience, stressing that no one had the right to take another person’s life.

The chairman thanked security forces deployed to the area for their swift intervention, noting that their presence prevented the situation from escalating into a wider crisis.

He commended personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, the military under Operation Enduring Peace, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their coordinated response.

According to him, security operatives promptly visited the scene, recovered the remains of the victims and ensured they were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Christopher also appreciated community leaders, youth leaders and religious stakeholders in Jos North for showing restraint and working to maintain calm despite the provocation.

“We have worked hard to sustain peace and unity in Jos North and Barkin Ladi, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. We must not allow this painful incident to destroy the progress we have made,” he said.

He appealed to residents, particularly youths, not to take the law into their hands, urging them to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate the matter.

The chairman called on government and relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

“One of the primary responsibilities of government is the protection of lives and property. Innocent lives have been lost, and the laws are clear. The perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

Christopher reiterated his commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence in the area and urged residents to remain vigilant while cooperating with security agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The Residents of Jos North Lauded leadership demonstrated by the Chairman of deserves strong commendation.

“At a time when emotions were high and tensions could easily have spiralled out of control, the chairman chose the path of restraint, responsibility and statesmanship. Instead of inflaming passions, he publicly condemned the killing of innocent youths in clear and unequivocal terms. That moral clarity is what leadership demands in moments of crisis.

They equally condemned conduct of Rev. Dachomo and the Birom youths’ Barrister Solomon for declaring war in the state instead of deescalating tension. in the aftermath of the killings.

“It is deeply troubling that Rev. Dachomo reportedly visited the scene of the killings yet failed to clearly and publicly condemn the murder of unarmed young men who were simply on their way to legitimate businesses. At a moment when leadership demanded calm, moral clarity, and empathy for grieving families, silence or selective outrage only deepens division,”they said.

“Even more concerning is the alleged call for war by individuals who are fully aware of what already transpired. When leaders, particularly religious and youth figures, resort to inflammatory rhetoric instead of advocating peace and justice, they risk pouring fuel on an already volatile situation.

“The killing of innocent commuters cannot be justified under any narrative not retaliation, not grievance, not identity politics. If seven people were killed in Dorowa Babuje by suspected criminals, the lawful and moral response is to demand justice through security agencies not to block roads and execute travellers based on ethnicity,”they added.

Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace