PLATEAU ATTACK: Protest as seven victims buried

2026-03-01 - 07:06

By Golok Nanmwa Seven victims of a deadly attack in Nche Shwye Rishi community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, were buried on Saturday amid grief and rising fear among residents. Gunmen invaded the community late Thursday night, firing into homes and causing panic. Initial reports indicated five deaths and three injuries, but community sources later confirmed that seven people were killed in Irigwe land in recent days. The mass burial, held at a primary school in Miango, was marked by protests over the continued attacks. Placards carried by mourners bore inscriptions such as “Irigwe Lives Matter,” “Stop This Christian Genocide,” “Justice for the slain victims,” and “Stop the senseless killings.” National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, Ezekiel Bini, condemned the attack, saying the community was tired of repeated killings and demanded protection and justice. “We thought this would have stopped by now after two decades. We can no longer take this again. We have been crying, and no one seems to hear us,” he said. The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, HRH Ronku Aku, blamed open grazing for the violence and called on the government to intervene. Chairman of Bassa LGA, Joshua Riti, promised to work with security agencies to ensure the attackers are apprehended. Among those buried was Abbas Musa, a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a health officer. was shot dead in his home. Five members of the same family were also reportedly killed after attackers pursued them into their bedrooms. Meanwhile, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has raised the alarm over alleged threats to the life of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the group linked the threats to Mwantiri’s outspoken stance on insecurity in Plateau State and the Middle Belt, alleging that militants had placed a bounty on him. The association called on security agencies to provide protection for the BYM president and investigate the threats, urging the public to remain calm and vigilant.