Women in Jengre community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday, took to the streets of the town to protest the death of a youth leader in the community, Audu Bako, who was allegedly tortured by soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) while in their detention.
The women in their thousands all dressed in black, matched round the streets of the town carrying placards bearing different comments, chanted songs of protest, demanding for justice for the late Bako, and ended up in the palace of the Ogomo Pengana, the Paramount ruler of the chiefdom.
According to reports, since the
news of the youth leader’s death on Monday, May 8, the serene town of Jengre has become charged which led to the deployment of more security personnel to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
A bosom friend of Bako who spoke on the circumstances that led to his death, said:
“About a month ago, Audu was returning home in the night on his bike when the vigilante stopped him at the bend leading to his house just before the check point at a place called Road-Block.
“Like a joke, the scene led to a serious fight between him and the vigilante to the extent that his brother, Yakson, had to buy into the fight. Before the case went to the Jengre Police Division, the vigilante had succeeded in beating him up with bamboo sticks.
“It was at the DPO’s office in Jengre that the STF insisted that Audu must be taken to Jos for further scrutiny. Audu did not return to Jengre until after 10 days in May 1st.
“While in detention, he was seriously tortured as he was accused of engaging in a fight with vigilante at odd hours.
“Upon his discharge from Jos, he returned home sick that he had to be admitted at SDA Hospital, Jengre, and later referred to JUTH for further treatment as his case was worsening.
“It was at JUTH that he died, which I suspect is as a result of the extreme torture he went through.
“At the moment, some individuals are calling for an autopsy to be performed on him before he is buried which I am fully in support. Let’s see how the drama unfolds and God help them, if what I am thinking turns out to be true.”
