40 more killed in renewed plateau state bandit attacks as Tinubu spends 10 days in France
The wave of violence in Plateau State has continued unabated, as no fewer than 40 people were killed in a fresh attack on the Zike community in Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses say the attack happened in the early hours of Monday, with gunmen storming the village and opening fire indiscriminately on residents who were fleeing after hearing gunshots.
Wakili Tongwe, a Kwall community leader, told Channels Television over the phone that he and a team of vigilantes, alongside some security personnel, were patrolling another community when the incident occurred.
“We were on patrol in a different area when they struck. Before we could return, they had already caused massive damage,” he said.
Security personnel reportedly engaged the assailants and were able to repel them, but not before the attackers had left a trail of bloodshed.
“About thirty-six persons were shot dead instantly, while four others died later,” Tongwe added.
Several other residents sustained gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
As at the time of this report, security agencies have not issued a statement regarding the attack.
This latest massacre comes just days after 52 people were killed in attacks on communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of the same state.
Plateau State has long suffered recurring violence, often blamed on tensions between farmers and herders.
However, Governor Caleb Mutfwang believes the scale and pattern of the killings point to something more sinister.
“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 during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.
Governor Mutfwang revealed that entire communities have been forcefully taken over by armed groups.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local governments,” he said.
“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
In response to the spate of violence, the Federal Government has pledged to act decisively.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has “ordered the immediate and comprehensive deployment of police tactical assets to the affected areas of the state”.
