Hobnob News reports that a deadly assault by gunmen on Zike and Kimakpa communities in Plateau State’s Bassa Local Government Area has left at least 51 residents dead, despite the villages’ close proximity—less than five kilometres—to the 3 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army.
The massacre, which occurred on Monday, comes barely two weeks after a similar attack in the Bokkos area that claimed 52 lives. Our correspondent, who visited the affected areas on Tuesday, witnessed the scale of devastation and heard firsthand accounts from grieving residents.
Locals expressed deep frustration over the failure of security forces to respond, particularly given the nearby military presence. “You’d expect the army to act fast with their base so close by,” a resident lamented anonymously to Hobnob News. “But no help came.”
The latest attack has sparked renewed demands for accountability and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and the perceived inaction of security personnel.
Efforts to reach Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
Survivors Recount Heartbreak
Survivors of the bloodshed shared their painful experiences. Lancaster Akpa, 49, from Kimakpa, lost nine family members—two brothers and seven children of his relatives. “I was in Jos when I got a midnight call that our village was under attack. I rushed down at dawn only to find the carnage was real,” he told Hobnob News. “Some attackers wore army camouflage, while others were in civilian clothes, but villagers identified them as Fulani.”
In Zike, Jerry Muwa narrowly escaped death with his family, though his son’s house was burnt down, killing six children trapped inside. “They came with one mission—to wipe us out,” Muwa said, fighting back tears. “When they couldn’t break the door, they set the house on fire. We buried the ashes. There was nothing left.”
Governor Visits, Monarch Laments Security Failures
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the devastated communities on Tuesday, offering his condolences and pledging support. The traditional ruler of the Irigwe Nation, Ronku Aka, praised the governor’s prompt visit but voiced concern over ongoing security lapses. He questioned why a surveillance drone tower in the area failed to detect the attackers.
He also appealed for better road infrastructure to facilitate quicker security response, warning that if the killings persist, the Irigwe people may be wiped out within three years.
Governor Mutfwang, flanked by state security heads, expressed sorrow over the loss and emphasized his administration’s commitment to overhauling Plateau’s security architecture.
“We’ve invested heavily in security and made significant progress,” the governor said. “But this attack is a painful reminder that more must be done. We won’t rest until peace is restored.”
Police IGP Pledges Justice
Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, during a visit to Government House Rayfield, reassured the state government of continued efforts to apprehend the masterminds.
“We have increased deployments, enhanced intelligence gathering, and we are working with other agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the IGP affirmed.
Middle Belt Group Slams Federal Government’s Inaction
The Middle Belt Patriot group condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s indifference to the continued killings by suspected Fulani militias. In a statement led by Terna Nenge, the group cited the recent carnage in Bokkos and Bassa where over 70 people—including pregnant women and children—were murdered, and more than 3,000 displaced.
“It is criminal for the government to stand idle while our people are slaughtered,” the statement read. “When we rise to defend ourselves, arrests follow swiftly. Yet, the killers roam free.”
The group demanded swift action and emphasized that every Nigerian life, regardless of region or ethnicity, holds equal value.
“Enough is enough,” the statement concluded. “The killings must stop—or be stopped.”
About The Author
