April 14, (THEWILL) – In yet another tragic turn in Plateau State’s unending cycle of violence, at least 51 persons, including women and children, were killed in a midnight attack on Zike and Kimakpa communities in Kwall District of the Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area.
The fresh onslaught, which occurred between 12am and 1:30am on Monday, comes barely a week after 52 people were massacred in separate incidents in Bokkos Local Government Area. Just this past Saturday, a man and his two sons were also murdered in the same area.
Confirming the attack, the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, said the assailants struck while residents were asleep, leaving behind scenes of horror. The victims included men, women, and children, some as young as three years old.
A list of the deceased released by the Irigwe Youth Movement includes:
Musa Dako (64), Daniel Adams (27), Obadiah Usman (31), Zinas James (22), Monday Sareke (37), Yohanna Kusa (43), Janet Danjuma (29), Sunday Dako (49), Reuben Adamu (94), Dogara Adamu (69), Bulus Moses (26), Stephen John, 28 yrs; Menche Stephen (7); Nema Stephen (4), Mary Stephen (24), Wiki John (30), Joshua John Bagu (46), Margaret Morris (6), Debene Morris (4) and Monday Sale (52).
Others are, Salama Agah (15), Laraba Agah (4), Talatu Mangwa (42), Grace David (45), Lovina Monday (19), Agah Monday (4), Naomi Monday (37), Noel David (13), Jummai Stephen (10), Monday Keyi (37), Jerry Moses (7), James Moses (10), Jacob Moses (3) Danjuma Gado (38), Friday Moses (14), Talatu Moses (47), Akus Moses (46), Asi Jerry (58), Tele Zea (29), Bre Shetu Nanzhwa (61), Nanzhwa Ivec(5), Kaja Daniel (42), Elisha Anthony (37), Anna Anthony (67), Danlami Randum Mula (49),Ado Danjuma (17), Sarah Kula ( 16), Ishaya Moses (10), Juan Moses (5), Sunday Mangwa (25) and Moses Bala (43).
Several others sustained life-threatening injuries and are receiving medical care in nearby hospitals.
Acting Coordinator of Operation Rainbow and Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Brig.-Gen. Gakji Shipi (rtd), described the incident as a major setback to peace efforts in the state.
“It is unfortunate. This is really a major setback to the peace process in the state. Government and security agencies are on top of the situation and will soon nip this in the bud,” he said.
In a statewide broadcast on Monday, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, condemned the killings in strong terms, describing them as “premeditated” and part of a “sinister campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
“In the early hours of Sunday, April 13, the peace of Kwall District in Bassa was shattered by another round of coordinated and brutal attacks. Armed assailants, suspected to be Fulani militia, descended on Zike and Kimakpa communities, killing no fewer than 45 persons, including women, children and the elderly, without any provocation,” he said.
Mutfwang added that homes were torched, properties destroyed, and families torn apart in the carnage, which he said came just as the state was grappling with the fallout of recent attacks in Bokkos.
“These attacks are not random. They are premeditated, coordinated, and driven by a clear and sinister agenda. To continue to frame them as mere farmer-herder clashes is misleading and disrespectful to the victims,” he said.
Describing the situation as bearing “the hallmarks of genocide,” Mutfwang declared, “Enough is enough. The lives of Plateau people matter. We will no longer allow our communities to be turned into killing fields.”
The governor directed all hospitals in and around the affected areas to provide emergency medical care to the injured and said relief and humanitarian support have been activated for displaced residents.
He disclosed that he had reached out to President Bola Tinubu, who, according to him, expressed concern and assured of the Federal Government’s support.
He added that security has been beefed up in vulnerable communities with troops already deployed.
“I have been in touch with the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser, and we are getting the necessary support,” he said.
The Governor urged community leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures and youths to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies.
Meanwhile, former military governor of Plateau State, Rear Admiral Bitrus Atukum (rtd), has called on the Federal Government to address the root causes of the violence and end what he described as a deliberate campaign of land grabbing.
“These attacks are aimed at dispossessing people of their ancestral lands. They attack, kill, chase the people away, and then take over their homes and farmlands,” Atukum said.
He dismissed the oft-cited narrative of herder-farmer clashes, questioning, “How can you have a clash in someone’s bedroom?”
Calling on President Tinubu to act decisively, Atukum said, “The only way to stop this madness is to order the military to go into the hills, fish out these criminals and destroy their camps. Otherwise, we are heading into a future of unending bloodshed and hunger.”
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
