Over 47 Killed in Fresh Wave of Attacks on Plateau Communities
At least 47 people have been confirmed dead following a new wave of deadly attacks on several communities in Plateau State.
The coordinated assaults, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night through the early hours of Monday, targeted villages in Kwali in Bassa Local Government Area.
According to local sources, heavily armed assailants stormed the communities under the cover of darkness, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze. Dozens of others were injured, while many residents remain unaccounted for as survivors continue to flee to nearby towns for safety.
Residents described the attacks as brutal and relentless, adding that calls for help were met with delayed responses from security agencies.
“We are devastated. They came while we were sleeping and just opened fire. By the time it was morning, everything was gone—houses, lives, everything,” said one survivor who narrowly escaped with his family.
Security forces have since been deployed to the affected areas, and efforts are ongoing to recover bodies and provide aid to displaced villagers. Plateau State Police Command confirmed the death toll and stated that investigations are underway, although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The latest violence comes amid rising tensions in the Middle Belt region, often linked to land disputes, ethnic divisions, and clashes between farmers and herders. Plateau State has long struggled with cyclical violence, and despite repeated calls for lasting peace, communities remain vulnerable to sudden and deadly assaults.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings and called for an urgent review of the state’s security architecture. He urged federal authorities to intervene decisively and ensure justice is served.
“We cannot continue like this. Our people are being killed, and we demand that those behind these heinous crimes are brought to book,” the governor said in a statement on Monday morning.
As the death toll rises and fear grips local communities, humanitarian agencies have appealed for support to help those displaced and affe
cted by the violence.
