Tragedy struck Zike hamlet in the Kimakpa community of Kwall District, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Sunday night as no fewer than 49 people were killed in a violent attack by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
According to Sam Jugo, National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), the incident occurred around midnight when residents were asleep. The community was jolted by sporadic gunfire, with eyewitnesses reporting that the attackers struck from multiple directions.
“The leadership of the Irigwe Development Association woke up to yet another massacre,” Jugo said. “By Monday morning, 49 corpses had been recovered. The number of injured victims is still unknown. Witnesses claim the attackers were Fulani.”
Jugo disclosed that despite prior intelligence and community warnings about the impending threat, the attack still occurred. He questioned the lack of aerial surveillance from a nearby drone station and expressed deep concern over the rising death toll in the region, which has reached at least 75 since December 2024.
He urged the Federal and Plateau State governments to act swiftly to prevent a looming humanitarian crisis and appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions.
The Plateau State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, condemned the assault. “This is an attempt to puncture the peace that has gradually returned to the state,” she said, warning that the Mutfwang administration would hold perpetrators accountable and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Troops Rescue 16 Abducted Passengers
In a separate development, troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) rescued 16 kidnapped passengers along the Jos-Mangu road in the Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
Major Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of Operation SAFE HAVEN, confirmed that the rescue followed the discovery of an abandoned vehicle near Mararaban Kantoma at about 9 p.m. on Sunday. Troops immediately launched a search operation in the surrounding bushes.
The kidnappers reportedly opened fire on the soldiers but were overpowered. All 16 captives, including six children, were rescued unharmed or with only minor injuries.
Troops administered first aid where necessary and escorted the victims safely to resume their journey to Jos. A manhunt is currently underway for the fleeing suspects, some of whom are believed to be injured.
These twin developments underscore the persistent insecurity challenges in Plateau State, despite recent efforts to restore peace across affected communities.
