Plateau State, known for years of violent conflicts, has once again been thrust into mourning as a new attack on the Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area left at least 40 people dead. The deadly assault, which occurred early on Monday, is just the latest in a series of brutal attacks that have plagued the state, raising serious concerns about the safety of residents.
The attack took place in the Kimakpa area of Kwall District, when a group of gunmen stormed the village in the early hours of the morning. The attackers opened fire on residents, who were caught off guard and scrambled to find safety. A local community leader, Wakili Tongwe, recounted the horrific scene during a phone interview with Channels Television. According to Tongwe, a group of vigilantes, including himself and security personnel, had been patrolling a nearby community when the attackers struck.
“They came in the dead of the night, shooting at anything that moved. It was chaos. People were running for their lives, but the gunmen were everywhere. By the time we could regroup, it was too late. Many had already been killed,” Tongwe said.
This brutal attack is the latest in a long series of similar incidents that have plagued Plateau State for several decades. Despite reassurances from the state government that efforts are being made to curb the violence, the attacks continue unabated, causing widespread fear and displacement among local communities.
Plateau, which has long been a flashpoint for violence between farmers and herders, has seen an escalation of violent clashes in recent years. In December 2023, during the Christmas season, a deadly attack in a predominantly Christian community led to the deaths of around 200 people, sparking national outrage. A similar attack in Wase, a town in the southern part of the state, claimed the lives of 40 individuals and saw several homes set ablaze in May 2024.
Experts believe that the root cause of the violence lies in the ongoing dispute over land and resources between farmers and herders. Farmers and herders have long competed for access to fertile land and water, which has led to tensions and violent confrontations. The situation has only worsened with the rise in the number of people migrating into the state due to climate change, which has exacerbated pressure on already scarce resources.
However, Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang has suggested that the cause of the violence may be more complex than just resource conflicts. While he acknowledged that the rivalry between farmers and herders is part of the problem, he has also pointed to other factors, including criminal activities and the involvement of armed groups from outside the state.
“The issues we are facing here are not limited to the farmer-herder clashes. There are criminal elements who exploit the situation for their own gains,” Governor Muftwang stated during a recent address to the public. “We are working tirelessly to bring peace to Plateau, but we need more support from the federal government, local authorities, and all stakeholders to effectively address the root causes of these attacks.”
The governor’s comments came after a series of security meetings with local leaders and law enforcement agencies in the state. Despite these efforts, local communities continue to live in fear, with many residents calling for greater protection from the authorities.
Plateau State, once known for its peaceful communities, has witnessed an alarming rise in attacks over the years. Many residents have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in nearby towns or in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The state has also witnessed an increase in the number of vigilante groups, who, while well-meaning, are often ill-equipped to deal with the scale of the violence.
The federal government has also pledged support, sending additional security personnel to the region to assist in maintaining peace. However, local leaders have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts, citing insufficient personnel and a lack of coordination between security forces and local vigilantes.
“We don’t feel safe anymore. It feels like we’re on our own,” said a local resident from Bassa LGA who wished to remain anonymous. “The government promises us safety, but we are still seeing more deaths, more destruction. It’s difficult to trust that things will get better.”
The recent attack in the Zike community has prompted calls for immediate action from both the state and federal governments. Local leaders have asked for more resources to be allocated to security and development in the region. They are also calling for a broader conversation about how to address the underlying issues that fuel the violence, such as the fight over land and resources, as well as the involvement of criminal groups in the unrest.
As the investigation into the attack continues, many are left to wonder when, or if, the violence in Plateau will ever end. Residents of the state continue to grapple with the pain of losing loved ones, while also struggling to come to terms with the uncertainty of their future. For now, the people of Plateau remain in a constant state of fear, hoping that the state and federal governments will finally take meaningful action to bring an end to the violence.
