We were asleep when the killers came, Bassa community members recount ordeal

The farming community of Kwall in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, was thrown into mourning after a devastating overnight attack by over 100 armed bandits that left at least 51 people dead and dozens injured.

In the early hours of April 13, 2025, the people of Kwall were fast asleep, unaware that their lives were about to be changed forever.

“We were deeply asleep when they invaded. The attack came out of nowhere. By the time we realized what was happening, many people had already been killed”; said Kelvin, a grieving resident who lost many family members.

The attackers, described by locals as heavily armed militia bandits, stormed the community in a coordinated operation, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.

Survivors recounted scenes of horror as the assailants went door to door, executing residents and torching their homes.

“Some people didn’t even wake up before they were shot. Others tried to run, but they were gunned down immediately”; Kelvin recounted, his voice shaking.

Parents clutched their children, praying for a miracle. Some managed to hide in bushes or under beds, but many did not survive.

When the smoke cleared, the village was unrecognizable, blackened ruins where homes once stood, and silence where children used to play.

I lost many family members in the attack. Everything I knew is gone”; a survivor told BusinessDay in tears.

For years, Plateau State has witnessed recurring violence, often fueled by ethnic and land-related tensions. But the scale and swiftness of this attack have shocked even the most hardened residents.

Now, those who survived face the unbearable task of mourning their dead and rebuilding their lives from the ashes.

Displaced families are sleeping in makeshift shelters, lacking food, clean water, and medical attention.

Many children have been orphaned, and trauma runs deep among the youth who watched their parents die.

The aid so far is not enough and they’re appealing to both state and federal authorities for urgent intervention.

“What we need now is not just security, but healing. We have seen hell”; said Musa, a victim who is taking refuge with a relation in Jos.

For the people of Bassa, a fragile hope remains amidst the pains.

To address the security challenges, Folusho Onyinlola, a Major General and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), recently convened a crucial meeting with community leaders and stakeholders.

Aliyu Danja, a Lieutenant colonel and Acting spokesperson of the division, said the initiative focused on dialogue and collaboration, aimed to rebuild trust between farming and herding communities.

During the meeting, the GOC engaged directly with leaders from Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa local government and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), discussing the recent attacks and ways to prevent further violence.

“By engaging directly with local leaders and addressing their concerns, the GOC hopes to tackle immediate security threats and lay the foundation for lasting peace,” Danja said.

Stakeholders are hopeful that these efforts, if sustained, will bring an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued the area for far too long.