Unlike the attack in Gassa, security personnel responded to the assault in the neighboring area, according to Patience Sandah. Soldiers from Operation Enduring Peace, accompanied by operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), moved to the scene. However, by the time they arrived around midday from a base roughly three miles away, the attackers had already fled.

Among those killed in Gassa was Ishaya Pam Dung, a respected community leader who headed the village’s civilian watch team.

Witnesses told Globalvoice that Dung and his 10-member team endured a three-directional assault from the west, southwest and northwest for more than 30 minutes. They said no military intervention came from a Forward Operating Base located about two miles away.

The civilian defenders were reportedly outnumbered and outgunned, facing an estimated 30 attackers traveling on motorcycles. Despite the disadvantage, Barkin Ladi Chairman Stephen Gyang Pwajok said the guards’ resistance helped prevent an even greater loss of life.

“He was in my office last week, telling me about the threats faced by his community, and even though this hurts, their effort was what saved this community,” Pwajok said.

Pwajok also questioned why the nearby military base did not intervene sooner.

“The soldiers in that FOB have drones. Is it that the drone could not spot these attackers? Something is wrong somewhere,” he said.

Dalyop raised similar concerns, arguing that the attack should not have come as a surprise because security warnings had reportedly been issued beforehand.

“The question is, was it a surprising attack? Not at all, because there was information even as of yesterday that they will still come back and strike, and lo and behold, they came and did it,” Dalyop said.

He said security agencies had received information about a possible return by the attackers and should have monitored or secured routes believed to be used by the militants instead of concentrating personnel in village centers.

Dalyop went further, alleging that the military may have failed to act despite receiving advance intelligence. He called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

“Before this incident happened, information available to us is that the FOB commander in Fass was told. Movement of motorcycles were spotted. And he was intimated and the flying of drones came after the motorcycles and then lo and behold, there was attack with precision,” Dalyop said.

Women Protest Military Presence

The attack, which residents described as the latest in a series of incidents they believe security forces failed to prevent, sparked a protest by local women on Friday morning ahead of the victims’ burial.

More than 1,000 women reportedly gathered along the Jos highway from about 7 a.m., blocking entrances and exits to the town for more than three hours.

The protesters chanted:

“We don’t want soldiers. They should go back to where they came from.”

The women declined to speak with reporters. Community and tribal leaders eventually persuaded them to suspend the protest and participate in discussions with military officials.

TruthNigeria witnessed the arrival of the commander of Operation Enduring Peace, accompanied by soldiers from the joint military task force. The delegation spent several hours attempting to calm the protesters.

Local leaders later facilitated a closed-door meeting involving representatives of women’s and youth groups. Military officials did not make public comments to the press following the meeting.

Pastor Calls for Support of Nigerian Soldiers

Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo acknowledged concerns surrounding the military response but said he did not believe the entire Nigerian Army should be condemned because of the actions or alleged failures of some personnel.

“I am calling on all my members to support soldiers of the Nigerian Army, stand for them, though there are rotten people among them that have sold out their profession, going into bias. Pray for them that God should show them mercy,” he said.

Dachomo also called for greater international attention and intervention as violence continues to affect communities across Nigeria.