Tragedy has again struck Plateau State as suspected gunmen reportedly killed no fewer than 13 persons during a fresh attack on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, left several residents injured and threw the community into panic.
A resident, Mr. Philip Alanga, told journalists in Jos that the attackers stormed the community around midnight, shooting indiscriminately before attacking residents with machetes and other dangerous weapons.
According to him, the assailants moved from house to house, targeting innocent residents and leaving behind widespread destruction.
“They came into the community around midnight and started shooting and hacking people to death. They moved from one house to another, attacking innocent people,” Alanga said.
He added that many residents fled into nearby bushes to escape the violence, while several injured victims were left in urgent need of medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary General of the Irigwe Development Association, Mr. Danjuma Auta, described the attack as barbaric, tragic, and condemnable.
Auta lamented the recurring attacks on communities in Bassa Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State, calling on security agencies to intensify surveillance and provide adequate protection for vulnerable rural communities.
He also urged security operatives to apprehend those responsible for the killings and ensure they are brought to justice to prevent further bloodshed.
Attempts to obtain an official reaction from the police were unsuccessful as calls placed to the spokesperson were not answered as of press time.
The latest attack comes just days after another deadly assault in Nding Susut community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
In the Tuesday attack, five persons were reportedly killed while three others sustained injuries after gunmen invaded the community at about 8 p.m.
Residents said the attackers opened fire on people seated outside their homes, triggering panic across the area.
A community member, Weng Christopher, said one of the victims initially escaped but was later pursued and killed by the attackers.
“This is becoming too frequent. People are living in constant fear. We can no longer sleep peacefully because these attacks keep happening,” Christopher said.
Reacting to the incident, the Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Mr. Rwang Tengwong, condemned the killings and described the repeated attacks as disturbing.
“The gunmen came around 8 p.m. and attacked members of a family who were sitting outside. One person ran away but was later traced and killed,” Tengwong said.
