Women across Plateau State have staged a strong show of solidarity against persistent insecurity, calling on the government and security agencies to end recurring attacks, protect vulnerable communities and restore lasting peace.

The women made the demands during a non-violent peace march held on 3 November 2026, organised by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding Nigeria (WANEP-Nigeria), in collaboration with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA), with support from the Urgent Action Fund-Africa.

The protest comes amid recurring violent attacks by suspected armed men, which have claimed lives, displaced families, destroyed livelihoods and heightened humanitarian concerns across the state.

In a communiqué issued after the march, the women highlighted the 17 August attack on Bin-Per community in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 25 people were reportedly killed and four others injured.

They also recalled attacks in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs on 28 August, which claimed at least five additional lives, including women.

Beyond the loss of lives, the women expressed concern over the growing vulnerability of women and girls to insecurity and gender-based violence.

They noted that the destruction of farmlands and businesses had threatened livelihoods and household food security, while children and young people continued to suffer displacement, trauma and disruption to their education.

As part of efforts to address the worsening situation, the women called for stronger security measures to safeguard lives and property in vulnerable communities, alongside justice, protection and comprehensive support for survivors of gender-based violence.

They also demanded the restoration of destroyed farmlands, businesses and livelihoods, as well as improved coordination among security agencies and local communities to strengthen civilian protection.

Emphasising the importance of prevention, the women advocated functional early warning and response mechanisms involving women, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

They further called for meaningful representation of women in peacebuilding initiatives, community security structures and decision-making processes.

The communiqué also stressed the need for accountability for human rights violations, targeted relief for women and children, and public sensitisation campaigns promoting peace and tolerance in both local languages and English.

In addition, the women appealed to governments and development partners to provide increased humanitarian assistance, trauma healing, rehabilitation and sustained support for internally displaced persons.

The women emphasised that they were not merely victims of insecurity but essential partners in conflict prevention, early warning and sustainable peacebuilding.

They urged government authorities, security agencies and development partners to translate their demands into concrete action, stressing that lasting peace in Plateau State could only be achieved through justice, accountability, inclusive leadership and the protection of every community.

Four people, including a pastor, have been killed and eight others injured after suspected armed herders attacked the Abeda Shitile community in Gaambe-Tiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred at about 5 pm on Tuesday while traders and residents were preparing to leave the market, triggering panic as gunmen reportedly opened fire on people in different parts of the community.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers operated for more than two hours, moving from a point-of-sale shop owned by Ernest Atindi Tor in the Ikyô Tor Dukur area towards the motor park along Afia Road.

He described the incident as terrifying, saying residents fled in different directions to escape the gunfire.

The four people killed were identified as Msoo Chan, Pastor Terungwa Tyonungo, Suurshater Iornumbe and Dodo Shingir.

Their remains have reportedly been recovered and deposited at a mortuary in the area.

Eight others sustained injuries during the attack. They were identified as Kumater Awua, Miracle Gangera, Tsetim Terungwa, Iortyom Helen, Seember Aondongu, Kofi Aondosoo, Chuku Okoro and Orker Iortyom.

The injured victims are currently receiving medical attention at a health facility in the area, the community leader said.

The mother of a 15-year-old Ghanaian boy who was fatally shot in the United States last week has left Ghana for America after being granted an emergency visa by President Donald Trump.

“I want justice for my son,” Doris Adu Gyamfi said at the airport before her departure.

She said he had dreamt of becoming a medical doctor.

Her son, Javits Frimpong, who had only been in the US for a year, was chased down and shot on Thursday morning on his way to school in the Bronx, New York.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not made any arrests and an investigation is ongoing as authorities search for three teenage boys in connection with the shooting.

His death has sparked outrage in both Ghana and the US, and reignited the debate about gun violence in America.

Doris Adu Gyamfi said she was going to the US to help plan her son’s funeral

His mother was escorted to the airport by relatives and Dr Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission of the African Diaspora Forum.

“I’m going to America to plan my son’s funeral,” Gyamfi said.

She thanked the government and well-wishers for their support and prayers following her son’s death.

In a social media post on Saturday, New York mayor Zohran Mamdani said Trump had agreed to grant a visa to Gyamfi so she could mourn her son in person.

Mamdani said the murder of a child was a pain no parent should endure, “let alone from thousands of miles away.”

“Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person. I just got off the phone with President Trump, and he has agreed to grant her visa immediately,” he said.

“All of New York City is mourning this tragedy,” he added.

Ghana’s government has condemned the killing and said it was following the case closely to ensure justice.

It has urged US authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and said it was ready to provide legal and consular support to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Police are searching for three teenage suspects who fled the scene, captured on surveillance footage.

The shooting has sparked concern among Ghanaians about the safety of children sent to study in America.