By Hauwau Shehu Maikeffi
In the early hours of Monday, April 14, 2025, Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was subjected to a devastating attack by armed assailants. The assault, which lasted nearly two hours, resulted in the deaths of over 40 residents, the destruction of homes, and the displacement of survivors.
The victims were primarily members of the Irigwe ethnic group, a predominantly Christian community that has endured repeated attacks over the years. The Irigwe Youth Movement (IYM) reported that many of the injured are receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and other nearby medical facilities.
According to the IYM, the community had raised alarms about potential threats hours before the attack, alerting both residents and security operatives. Despite these warnings, the assailants were neither intercepted nor confronted during the assault. Security forces reportedly arrived only after the attackers had fled.
The attack took place in Zike, a community located in the Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area, approximately an hour’s drive from Jos, the Plateau State capital. The assault began shortly after midnight on April 14, 2025.
The IYM and other local organizations attribute the violence to armed herders, accusing them of a broader agenda to displace local populations and seize fertile land. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described the killings as “genocidal” and motivated by land-grabbing, asserting that the violence is part of a deliberate campaign to uproot indigenous communities.
The massacre in Zike is the latest in a series of violent episodes across Plateau State. In neighboring Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, over 40 people have been killed since late March. Despite visits from high-ranking officials, including the Nigerian Army Chief of Staff and the National Security Adviser, the killings have persisted.
Local leaders and civil society organizations are calling for immediate and decisive action to halt the violence. They emphasize the need for improved security measures, justice for the victims, and support for displaced communities to rebuild their lives.
As the region grapples with this renewed wave of violence, the resilience and unity of affected communities remain crucial in the face of adversity.
