The Zike community, Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State has recorded the death of over 50 residents on a fresh attack that occurred on Monday, 14th April, 2025, while numerous houses were also razed down by the bandits.
One of the Kwall community leaders, Wakili Tongwe, narrating the tragic event, said the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Monday and started raining bullets sporadically, causing residents to scamper for safety.
Mr Wakili Tongwe revealed that he and other vigilante members went out for a patrol in another in a neighbouring community when the attackers invaded the village and opened fire on innocent civilians.
He added that the presence of other security personnel in the village made the difference as they were able to repel the invaders, which indeed subsided the number of casualties that could have been recorded.
The Plateau State Government has firmly condemned the attack, characterizing it as unprovoked and utterly unacceptable.
The commissioner of information and communication, Hon Joyce Ramnap, who spoke to news men said, “the attack is one too many and these series of attacks pose an existential threat to the lives and livelihoods of the peace-loving people of the state.”
“It is sad that in less than two weeks after our people were killed in Bokkos local government, this sad incident is reoccurring in another community in Bassa local government,” she added.
Reacting to the attack, the Plateau state governor, Caleb Muftwang, said he lacks words to explain the attack but affirms that there is more to the attack that is unknown yet.
“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,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has strongly condemned the attack and sympathized with the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, while urging him to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace.
This information was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Monday.
The statement read in part, “The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” President Tinubu asserts.
“I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.
“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem.
“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.
“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau”.
