The Plateau State Youth Council (PYC), Gwol-Barkin Ladi Chapter, has condemned a social media post circulated by one Masara Kim Usman regarding the mass burial held at Ratatis village in Dorowa Babuje following the February 22, 2026 attack that claimed several lives in the community.
Addressing journalists during a press conference held at the Youth Center in Gwol, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Tuesday, the youth body described the caption attached to the viral video as misleading, provocative, and capable of reopening painful memories for affected families and the community.
The controversial caption reportedly stated that the Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, “lost it after mourners shouted him down while speaking ‘big grammar’ on behalf of the government.”
The Youth Council said after carefully reviewing the video, it found the caption to be “irresponsible, mischievous, and a calculated attempt to misrepresent the events of that day.”
According to the Council, the post was not only aimed at tarnishing the image of Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom but also capable of reigniting trauma within a community still recovering from the attack.
The group stated that Hon. Gwom attended the mass burial both as a government representative and as a member of the affected community, noting that he was the most senior government official present at the event.
The Council rejected claims that the Commissioner justified the killings or was confronted by mourners in the manner portrayed online.
The Chairman of the PYC Gwol-Barkin Ladi Chapter, Rwas Zang Apollos, who signed the statement, said the youth body would not allow individuals to exploit the pain of the people for social media engagement or to create division within the community.
The Council accused the social media user of engaging in sensational reporting capable of causing unnecessary tension and distracting attention from the real security challenges confronting the area.
As part of its demands, the Youth Council called for the immediate deletion of the video and its accompanying caption from all social media platforms within seven days.
The group also demanded a public apology from Masara Kim Usman to Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, the people of Barkin Ladi, and the Berom Nation over what it described as deliberate misrepresentation of facts and the resurfacing of painful memories linked to the attack.
The PYC emphasized that while it supports advocacy, justice, and accountability, such efforts must not become vehicles for character assassination or misinformation.
The Council further stressed that the people of Barkin Ladi deserve truthful, fair, and responsible public discourse, especially on matters involving insecurity and loss of lives.
While applauding recent efforts by government towards improving security, the Youth Council called on authorities to intensify measures aimed at protecting lives and property across Barkin Ladi and Plateau State at large.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peace, justice, and the welfare of the people, while urging genuine individuals and organizations to work together towards achieving lasting peace in the area.
