Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has urged residents of Zilkke village in Bassa Local Government Area to remain vigilant and be prepared to defend themselves following a deadly attack that claimed the lives of over 50 people on Sunday night.
According to local sources, the gunmen, who launched the assault around 8 p.m., also injured several others — including women and children — and razed more than 40 houses in the village.
The attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents across Plateau State, coming just two weeks after similar coordinated killings in Bokkos Local Government Area, where over 80 people were murdered.
Although the motive behind Sunday’s attack is still unclear, some residents believe it may be connected to a spate of isolated killings reported in the area throughout the past week.
Spokesperson of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Samuel Jugo, said the attackers stormed the community firing sporadically.
Local residents accused Fulani herders of being behind the assault, a claim swiftly denied by a Fulani leader in the area, Ardo Lawal Haruna.
“The allegation against us is false. We strongly condemn the incident and urge security agencies to carry out thorough investigations to identify and prosecute the true perpetrators,” Haruna stated.
During a visit to the devastated community on Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang addressed survivors gathered at a local primary school.
While urging restraint and discouraging retaliatory violence, he stressed the need for vigilance and self-defence.
“We are more determined than ever to ensure that no more innocent blood is shed on the Plateau.
“While we continue to invest in security, communities must also rise to defend themselves. We can no longer afford to sleep while the enemy strikes at night,” Mutfwang said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to rebuilding destroyed homes and assisting displaced persons. He also called on the youth to remain watchful, especially with the farming season approaching.
“This is not the time to lament or assign blame. It’s time to stand united and protect one another.
“The people who attacked us are not ghosts. They are known, and those shielding them are complicit,” he said.
The state government must seriously support the communities in the state to kick start this self defense by providing financial support. Youths and men in their thousands should be engaged in the state security outfits. Retired military personnels that are bound as well as hunters should be involved. Ayo fayose did it in Ekiti state that was what put an end to the madness. Like they say when a bird is dancing by the roadside, a drummer is by the bush beating the drum. The killers are certainly being sponsored. Lt. Gen. Danjuma rtd stated this months back urging all to defend themselves which DG DSS stated recently.