No fewer than 12 persons, including two pregnant women, were killed in a fresh midnight attack on Ngbra-Zongo village in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers, suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen, reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, unleashing terror on residents during a heavy rainfall.
Sources in the area disclosed that the assailants invaded the village in three groups at about midnight, moving from house to house and attacking innocent residents with guns and machetes.
Apart from those killed, about 10 other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries, including gunshot wounds and machete cuts. One of the survivors is said to be a pregnant woman currently receiving treatment.
The latest attack has forced many residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety, even as fear and tension continue to grip the community.
Confirming the incident during a mass burial for the victims, the Executive Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Mr. Joshua Riti, described the killings as tragic and unfortunate.
Riti lamented that the attack occurred at a time when peacebuilding efforts and stakeholders’ engagements in the area had started yielding positive results.
He appealed to both the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to urgently strengthen security in vulnerable communities, particularly as the farming season approaches.
“We had begun to witness relative peace through engagements with stakeholders before this unfortunate incident happened again,” he said.
Also speaking, a community leader, Mr. Lawrence Zongo, confirmed that two pregnant women were among those killed in the attack.
According to him, the same village had suffered similar attacks in the past, including one that claimed the life of a pastor and several other residents.
“This incident is very unfortunate. The attackers went from one house to another attacking innocent people. Many families have now fled the community,” he said.
Efforts to get official reaction from the spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful.
The latest killings come amid renewed violence across parts of Plateau State.
Within the week, over 20 persons were reportedly killed in separate attacks on communities in Gyel, Gassa, Shogo, Nding and Zat areas of Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.
Meanwhile, tension is also mounting in Miango District of Bassa LGA following the destruction of several hectares of irrigation farmlands by suspected armed assailants.
Residents said the attackers invaded the farms on Wednesday night while farmers were asleep, destroying crops including cabbage, maize, cocoyam, green beans and pepper.
Community sources disclosed that the destruction has dealt a severe economic blow to many families who depend solely on farming for survival.
Reacting to the development, the Miango Youth Development Association condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and a direct threat to food security in the area.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Weyi Agara, the association said the destruction had exposed affected families to hunger, hardship and economic uncertainty.
“We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms. The destruction of farms and livelihoods of innocent people is unacceptable and must not continue”
The group called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
Similarly, the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) decried the persistent attacks and destruction of farmlands across rural communities in the state.
The National Secretary General of PIDAN, Mr. Danjuma Dickson Auta, said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated over repeated attacks and the loss of their means of livelihood.
“We are tired of these constant attacks on our communities and destruction of farmlands belonging to innocent people who depend on agriculture for survival,” Auta stated.
He urged security agencies and government at all levels to take decisive action to restore peace and confidence among residents of affected communities.