…As Governor Mutfwang convenes security meeting

The Irigwe Youth Movement has confirmed the killing of 51 of its kinsmen in the early hours of Monday, April 14, 2025, in Zikke, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, predominantly inhabited by Irigwe natives.

The massacre, carried out by suspected herdsmen militias, lasted for over 90 minutes between midnight and 1:30 a.m., leaving dozens of homes razed and scores of families devastated.

According to a statement by Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, made available to journalists Monday night in Jos, “the victims were murdered in cold blood by militias. The victims are as follows:

  1. Musa Dako, 64 years
  2. Daniel Adams, 27 years
  3. Obadiah Usman, 31 years
  4. Zinas James, 22 years
  5. Monday Sareke, 37 years
  6. Yohanna Kusa, 43 years
  7. Janet Danjuma, 29 years
  8. Sunday Dako, 49 years
  9. Reuben Adamu, 94 years
  10. Dogara Adamu, 69 years
  11. Bulus Moses, 26 years
  12. Stephen John, 28 years
  13. Menche Stephen, 7 years
  14. Nema Stephen, 4 years
  15. Mary Stephen, 24 years
  16. Wiki John, 30 years
  17. Joshua John Bagu, 46 years
  18. Margaret Morris, 6 years
  19. Debene Morris, 4 years
  20. Monday Sale, 52 years
  21. Salama Agah, 15 years
  22. Laraba Agah, 4 years
  23. Talatu Mangwa, 42 years
  24. Grace David, 45 years
  25. Lovina Monday, 19 years
  26. Agah Monday, 4 years
  27. Naomi Monday, 37 years
  28. Noel David, 13 years
  29. Jummai Stephen, 10 years
  30. Monday Keyi, 37 years
  31. Jerry Moses, 7 years
  32. James Moses, 10 years
  33. Jacob Moses, 3 years
  34. Danjuma Gado, 38 years
  35. Friday Moses, 14 years
  36. Talatu Moses, 47 years
  37. Akus Moses, 46 years
  38. Asi Jerry, 58 years
  39. Tele Zea, 29 years
  40. Bre Shetu Nanzhwa, 61 years
  41. Nanzhwa Ive, 5 years
  42. Kaja Daniel, 42 years
  43. Elisha Anthony, 37 years
  44. Anna Anthony, 67 years
  45. Danlami Randum (Mula), 49 years
  46. Ado Danjuma, 17 years
  47. Sarah Kula, 16 years
  48. Ishaya Moses, 10 years
  49. Juan Moses, 5 years
  50. Sunday Mangwa, 25 years
  51. Moses Bala, 43 years”

The movement described the attack as a continuation of an ongoing genocide and called for urgent intervention by the government and civil society organizations.

“We are crying out for help, demanding that the National Defense Headquarters set up an independent committee to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The group also appealed to humanitarian agencies such as NEMA, PLASEMA, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide emergency relief to the displaced and affected families.

Governor Mutfwang convenes security meeting, sympathizes with Kwall over recent attacks

Meanwhile, in response to the recent tragic attacks on Zike and Kimakpa communities in Bassa Local Government Area, Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor, on Monday convened an expanded State Security Council meeting to address the escalating insecurity in the area.

The meeting, held in Jos, deliberated extensively on the security situation, especially the disturbing resurgence of attacks in Bassa and Bokkos LGAs, and adopted decisive measures aimed at restoring peace and preventing further bloodshed across the state.

Addressing journalists after the expanded Security Council meeting, Governor Mutfwang stated: “Today, 14th April 2025, we convened an expanded Security Council meeting comprising security chiefs and the local government chairmen, in response to the attack that came to our attention this morning. Over 100 militia bandits reportedly descended on a community in Kwall District of Bassa LGA, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction.”

“We received detailed briefings from security heads on what transpired, and efforts are ongoing to establish the full facts and motivations behind the attack, so we can address the situation decisively. The area is currently calm, and we have appealed for restraint from the affected communities, especially the youth, who have so far responded positively to our plea.”

“Far-reaching decisions have been taken to forestall further attacks. While some of these measures will be announced tomorrow, I want to reassure the people of Plateau State that we are fully in control and will stop at nothing to secure lives and property.”

Governor Mutfwang also appealed to citizens to support security efforts through timely intelligence sharing: “We urge our people across the state to report any suspicious activity or information, no matter how insignificant it may seem. We guarantee the confidentiality of our sources because, without credible intelligence, our response capacity is limited. By God’s grace, we are determined to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen our overall security response.”

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, security agencies, and community stakeholders to restore lasting peace to all troubled parts of Plateau State.

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.

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