The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed that those responsible for the killing of 51 people in Zikke community of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, will soon face justice. He made this declaration during his visit to the state on Tuesday, April 15, just a day after the deadly attack.
Speaking during his third official visit to Plateau State, Egbetokun condemned the massacre in strong terms and assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force is determined to track down the perpetrators. He said those behind the violence would be taken by surprise, warning that their days of terror are numbered.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms these acts of violence. We recognize the severity of the incident and its negative impact on the local farming communities in Plateau State,” the IGP said.
The Zikke community was attacked in the early hours of Monday, April 14, 2025, by unknown gunmen who opened fire on residents, burning houses and causing mass displacement. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau, a state long plagued by communal and ethno-religious conflicts.
According to local officials and eyewitnesses, the attackers struck just before dawn, catching residents off guard. At least 51 people were confirmed dead, with many others injured. Several homes were burned to the ground, and many families have been forced to flee their homes to seek refuge in neighboring communities or displacement camps.
Zikke is a farming settlement in the Bassa LGA, a region that has suffered repeated violence over the past few years. The community is still recovering from earlier attacks, including a similar one in Bokkos Local Government Area just two weeks ago that left scores dead.
The latest killings have raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Plateau State and the effectiveness of the government’s response to the growing wave of violence.
During his visit, the IGP urged residents not to attribute the killings to any particular ethnic group. He stressed that crime should not be judged based on the tribe of the perpetrators but by the criminal acts committed.
“I want to appeal to our people that we should not profile criminals based on their ethnicity. Criminals don’t have tribes; they are just criminals,” Egbetokun said.
“Let us work together to ensure that the criminals in our midst are dealt with as criminals and not on the basis of where they come from.”
His message comes at a time when tensions in Plateau are running high, with some communities accusing specific ethnic groups of targeting them. The IGP’s comments were aimed at promoting peace and unity in a state with a long history of inter-ethnic violence.
Plateau State has been one of Nigeria’s most volatile regions for over two decades, often witnessing clashes between farmers and herders, as well as between different ethnic and religious communities.
The causes of the violence are complex and deeply rooted. They include disputes over land and grazing rights, religious differences, ethnic rivalry, and political competition. Many attacks in the state are believed to be reprisal or retaliatory in nature, making the cycle of violence difficult to break.
The Bassa and Bokkos LGAs, in particular, have seen several waves of deadly attacks in recent years. Communities have repeatedly called on the government to increase security presence and bring perpetrators to justice, but lasting peace has remained elusive.
In the wake of Monday’s attack, many civil society organizations, community leaders, and residents have called for greater accountability and urgent government action to stop the killings.
“We are tired of counting our dead,” said Jonah Bitrus, a community youth leader in Bassa. “The government keeps promising action, but the killings continue. How many more must die before something changes?”
Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and Police, have been deployed to the area, but critics say their presence has done little to prevent attacks.
IGP Egbetokun’s visit is seen by some as a positive step, but locals are demanding concrete results, not just reassurances.
During his visit, the IGP did not disclose specific operational strategies but hinted that a tactical response was underway and that the police would surprise the attackers soon.
Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the Zikke massacre, investigations are ongoing. Security agencies are believed to be tracking possible leads, including intelligence from local informants.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who has also condemned the attack, has called for tighter security around vulnerable communities and urged the federal government to support peacebuilding initiatives in the state.
In addition to police action, community leaders are also calling for reconciliation efforts to reduce hostilities between ethnic groups and prevent further violence.
