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:

Musa Dako, 64 years

Daniel Adams, 27 years

Obadiah Usman, 31 years

Zinas James, 22 years

Monday Sareke, 37 years

Yohanna Kusa, 43 years

Janet Danjuma, 29 years

Sunday Dako, 49 years

Reuben Adamu, 94 years

Dogara Adamu, 69 years

Bulus Moses, 26 years

Stephen John, 28 years

Menche Stephen, 7 years

Nema Stephen, 4 years

Mary Stephen, 24 years

Wiki John, 30 years

Joshua John Bagu, 46 years

Margaret Morris, 6 years

Debene Morris, 4 years

Monday Sale, 52 years

Salama Agah, 15 years

Laraba Agah, 4 years

Talatu Mangwa, 42 years

Grace David, 45 years

Lovina Monday, 19 years

Agah Monday, 4 years

Naomi Monday, 37 years

Noel David, 13 years

Jummai Stephen, 10 years

Monday Keyi, 37 years

Jerry Moses, 7 years

James Moses, 10 years

Jacob Moses, 3 years

Danjuma Gado, 38 years

Friday Moses, 14 years

Talatu Moses, 47 years

Akus Moses, 46 years

Asi Jerry, 58 years

Tele Zea, 29 years

Bre Shetu Nanzhwa, 61 years

Nanzhwa Ive, 5 years

Kaja Daniel, 42 years

Elisha Anthony, 37 years

Anna Anthony, 67 years

Danlami Randum (Mula), 49 years

Ado Danjuma, 17 years

Sarah Kula, 16 years

Ishaya Moses, 10 years

Juan Moses, 5 years

Sunday Mangwa, 25 years

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.

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. (BusinessDay)