In a renewed wave of violence, at least 40 persons have been confirmed dead following a brutal attack on Zike community in Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, in the early hours of Monday.
The Hobnob News gathered that the attackers stormed the community at dawn, opening fire indiscriminately on residents who were attempting to flee to safety. Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror as gunshots echoed through the area, forcing families to run for cover amid the chaos.
Security operatives, who were stationed in a nearby community, eventually repelled the assailants, but not before significant damage had been done. Thirty-six people were reportedly found dead at the scene, while four others succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault.
Several other victims with varying degrees of injuries were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. As of press time, no security agency had released an official statement regarding the incident, which comes just days after a similar massacre in Bokkos Local Government Area.
The latest attack has deepened the climate of fear in Plateau State, where community leaders and residents have continued to call for stronger security measures. In response to the mounting crisis, Governor Caleb Muftwang recently visited several attacked communities and renewed his plea for urgent intervention from security forces.
Speaking in a recent interview, Governor Muftwang said, “I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists. The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.”
He also revealed that no fewer than 64 communities in the state have been taken over by bandits, sparking further concerns about the spread and organization of the violent campaigns.
“This is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere,” the governor added, urging authorities to identify and bring the sponsors to justice.
The Inspector General of Police has recently deployed tactical squads to Plateau communities in response to the rising violence, but residents say more sustained efforts are needed to ensure lasting peace in the region.
