Bandits Kill 49 in Coordinated Plateau State Attack: Community Left Devastated”
Body:
In a horrific escalation of violence, 49 people were brutally killed and dozens injured during a late-night attack on Zike Kimakpa community in Plateau State’s Bassa Local Government Area (LGA). The assault, which occurred on Sunday, December 10, marks the latest in a wave of attacks plaguing the region, raising urgent questions about security and community safety.
Key Details of the Attack
- Death Toll: 49 confirmed fatalities, with recovery efforts ongoing.
- Injured: Multiple victims hospitalized with critical injuries.
- Property Damage: Over 30 homes razed, displacing families.
- Perpetrators: Armed bandits launched a “well-coordinated assault”, firing sporadically to instill panic.
Eyewitness & Official Accounts
Danjuma Dickson Auta (Secretary, Irigwe Development Association):
“This was a planned attack. We’re recovering bodies, and the devastation is unimaginable. Our people are traumatized.”
Hon. Joyce Ramnap (Plateau Commissioner for Information):
- Condemned the “existential threat” to peace-loving communities.
- Linked the attack to recent violence in Bokkos LGA (December 2023).
- Warned against reprisals, urging vigilance and cooperation with security forces.
Government Response
- Gov. Caleb Mutfwang’s administration vowed to “deal decisively” with perpetrators.
- Security operatives mobilized to hunt down attackers.
- Calls for federal intervention intensify amid rising insecurity.
Context: A State Under Siege
Plateau State has endured over 200 fatalities in 2023 alone from bandit raids. The Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA remains a hotspot, with repeated attacks eroding trust in security frameworks.
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