Gunmen Invade Plateau Community, Kill 49, Says Youth Leader

MONDAY April 14, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

Gunmen have again attacked Zikke community in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State and reportedly killed at least 49 people.

The attack, said to have occurred in the early hours of Monday around 12am, also left many others injured

A youth leader in the community, Joseph Chudu, confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Monday.

He said that the gunmen arrived in the community in large numbers, shooting and burning their houses.

Chudu said, “Yes, our people suffered a devastating attack last night in Zikke village. They (gunmen) came in large numbers last night around 12am and killed about 49 people. They also burnt several houses in the community, which is under the Kwall district.

“The attack lasted for more than one hour. Many who sustained injuries have been evacuated to Jos University Teaching Hospital. Please, we need blood for the injured.”

The youth leader who is also the Publicity Secretary of The Irigwe Youths Movement called for urgent action to address the security situation in the state while appealing for blood donations to help the injured victims.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, did not respond to calls when contacted on the incident.

The latest attack in Bassa has once again raised concerns about the security situation in Plateau State.

Last week, several communities in Bokkos LGA were attacked by gunmen, resulting in the death of over 50 persons and the destruction of property.

The Plateau state government had condemned the killings and urged the security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

The Commissioner of Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, 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.

She described the attacks as another attempt to puncture the peace that has gradually returned to the state, calling on people to remain peaceful as the government worked with security agencies to arrest the situation.