Death toll in the attack on Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government, Plateau State has risen to 53.

Initial reports gave the future as 47, but a source close to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said more bodies were recovered after the villagers combed surrounding bushes.

Several others were also wounded in the Incident, which occurred on Sunday night .

National Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Samuel Jugo, confirmed that the 51 killed were given a mass burial yesterday amidst tears and wailing by relations and other sympathisers who thronged the burial site.

It was gathered that the gunmen in large numbers, rode into the area on motorbikes at about 11:32 pm on Sunday and went on a killing rampage till the early hours of yesterday ,killing no fewer than 53 persons.

The marauders, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen were said to be going from house to house to kill their victims. They also burnt their houses and several others were wounded in attempts to escape

Those who sustained fatal gunshot wounds are currently being treated at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital.

It was also gathered that residents of Kwall and neighbouring villages and communities were leaving in droves to Jos, the capital of the state, and other neighbouring local governments for to escape the onslaught of the marauders

Giving accounts of the incident in a statement, Jugo, said that on the night of Sunday, there were sporadic gunshots from multiple locations in the community, adding that on the following morning, 51 people were killed.

He said that there were rumours before the attacks, and the security stationed in the area was notified, adding that the Sector 3 Commander confirmed that he received the intel and mobilised his men to Kwall, but the carnage still took place.

?This assault on a peace-loving people on their motherland is very provocative, vexing and undeserving. What is baffling residents most is the intent of the Drone Station in Kwall, which should have been deployed for reconnaissance when rumours filtered in.

The association called on the federal and State governments to wade before the already precarious situation becomes uncontrollable..

Meanwhile,President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the recent bloodshed

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga,he said that:?He strongly condemns the violence and extends his sympathies to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and the people of Plateau while urging him to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace.

?In his call for harmony among the people of the state, President Tinubu emphasises the importance of love and unity beyond religious and ethnic lines. He encourages community, spiritual, and political leaders within and beyond the state to unite and end the cycle of retaliatory attacks that have made life unbearable for affected communities.

?The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease.

?I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.

?Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem. These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.

?The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability?crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau.?

Reacting to the resurgence of attacks, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar said Tinubu?s security policy and infrastructure has failed woefully.

He also flayed the upsurge in terrorist attacks in Borno State, which has led to the loss of lives and territories to the Boko Haram insurgents, according to alarm raised by Governor Babagana Zulum and Shehu of Borno Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

The former Vice President said that these manifestations are indicative of the woeful failure of both the security policy and infrastructure of the Tinubu-led administration.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take tougher proactive measures to deal with what he called ?these disgraceful incidents that challenge our national security.?

In a statement by Paul Ibe, Atiku Media Office,

Abuja, he said that reacting to the spate of insecurity, which has attained endemic levels in the country, Atiku explained that,?every sincere Nigerian should be worried about the frequency and impunity with which terrorists and bandits attack innocent people in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria, which has become the epicenter of terrorist violence in the country.?

According to Atiku, the delay in the prosecution of captured terrorists and bandits in custody since 2016 has emboldened the mass murderers to kill with impunity.

?If the government had applied the same energy in the prosecution of terrorists and bandits as it did in the trial of political critics, it would have gone a long way to send a powerful message to the outlaws that there are consequences for mass murder,? Atiku said.

According to Atiku, the prosecution of terrorists and bandits should be accorded the highest priority by the Attorney General of the Federation.

He explained that there should be special courts to fast-track the trial and conviction of terrorists in the country.

?Hundreds of terrorists and bandits have been in custody since 2016 without trial, and the delay in bringing them to justice is demoralizing to our security forces. If terrorists and bandits are captured and then are left in custody longer than necessary without trial, it will undermine the efforts and sacrifices of our security forces,? the former vice president explained further.

According to Waziri Adamawa, ?our criminal justice system is notoriously slow and as a result, terrorists and bandits are thus encouraged to feel that crime pays.?

Atiku also expressed ?embarrassment at how armed criminal groups cross through our borders to carry our terrorist activities in Nigeria.?

Atiku called on the National Assembly to urgently introduce a legislation to allow state governments to adequately arm their security outfits with modern weapons to complement the efforts of our security forces who appear to be overstretched in terms of men and resources.

However, he also blamed community members who serve as informants to armed groups.

He stated that community members have a role to play in their own security by providing intelligence to our security forces about the presence and activities of bandits and terrorists in their midst.

He applauded the rare sacrifices of the security forces in counter-terrorism operations, adding that without public support, the criminals can not succeed. (Daily Sun)

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