A fresh wave of violence has swept through Plateau State, with at least 49 people confirmed dead following a deadly assault on the Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall District, Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area. The attack, which unfolded late Sunday night, also left dozens injured and more than 30 homes reduced to ashes.
According to eyewitnesses, gunmen stormed the community under the cover of darkness, firing indiscriminately and unleashing chaos and terror. The Secretary General of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Danjuma Dickson Auta, confirmed the casualty figure and warned that the number could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
“This was not a chance attack—it was clearly a well-orchestrated and deliberate act of violence,” Auta said in a phone conversation with reporters.
The Plateau State Government has strongly condemned the incident. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, described the attack as “yet another blow” to the fragile peace in the region. She noted that the massacre comes less than two weeks after a similar deadly raid in Bokkos Local Government Area.
“It is disheartening that just as peace is gradually returning, we are once again forced to confront senseless bloodshed,” Ramnap said. She called on residents to remain calm and resist the urge to retaliate.
Ramnap assured that the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang is committed to ensuring justice, directing security agencies to hunt down those responsible and prevent further violence.
The state government reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and protecting lives and property in all corners of Plateau State.
