Plateau: Youth Council demands apology, video takedown of ‘misleading’ mass burial report

…. warns wgainst exploiting community tragedy for social media engagement

The Plateau Youth Council (PYC) of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, has condemned a social media post by one Social Media influencer describing it as misleading, provocative and capable of reopening painful memories of victims of terrorism in the area.

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The Chairman of the PYC Barkin Ladi Comrade Appolos Zang while Addressing a Press conference on Tuesday at the Youth Centre in Baskin Ladi, expressed dissatisfaction with a video circulated by Usman concerning the mass burial conducted at Ratatis Village in Dorowa Babuje on February 22, 2026, following a deadly attack that claimed several lives.

The PYC said the caption attached to the video was a deliberate distortion of events and an unfair portrayal of the Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom.

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The caption accompanying the video reportedly read: “He lost it after mourners shouted him down while speaking ‘big grammar’ on behalf of the government.”

According to the youth body, an independent review of the footage revealed that the narrative conveyed by the caption did not accurately reflect what transpired during the burial ceremony.

The council argued that the publication was not only irresponsible but also capable of inciting public resentment, damaging the reputation of public officials and reopening emotional wounds in a community still recovering from a traumatic attack.

“We find it disturbing that an incident that occurred four months ago is being resurrected through a sensational social media narrative that does not promote peace, healing or justice for the victims,” Apollos stated.

The PYC maintained that Hon. Gwom attended the mass burial primarily as a mourner and as the most senior government representative present at the event, insisting that he neither justified the killings nor acted in a manner that warranted the interpretation presented in the video.

The youth group described the commissioner as a grassroots leader deeply connected to the Berom community and accused some individuals of exploiting the suffering of victims to generate online attention and public outrage.

As part of its resolutions, the council demanded the immediate removal of the video and its accompanying caption from all social media platforms within seven days.

The group also called the Social Media influencer to publicly apologise to Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, the people of Barkin Ladi and the wider Berom community for what it described as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts surrounding a painful chapter in the area’s history.

While acknowledging the importance of media advocacy and public accountability, the PYC cautioned against sensational reporting, warning that such narratives could distract communities from confronting the real security challenges facing Plateau State.

“Advocacy loses its moral authority when it becomes a vehicle for character assassination,” the council declared, stressing that the people of Barkin Ladi deserve truth, fairness and responsible public discourse, particularly on issues involving the loss of human lives.

The youth body reaffirmed its commitment to justice for victims of insecurity and accountability in governance but insisted that such efforts must be pursued without distorting facts or inflaming tensions.

The council further pledged to continue supporting initiatives aimed at promoting peace, unity and development across Barkin Ladi and Plateau State.

On security, the PYC commended recent efforts by government authorities to improve security architecture in vulnerable communities but urged both the Federal and Plateau State Governments to intensify measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

The council said it would continue to monitor developments and advocate for stronger action until residents begin to experience tangible improvements in security and welfare.

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