PLATEAU, Nigeria (FN), Gunmen stormed Ngbra Zongo community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State at midnight Friday, killing at least 13 people, including three pregnant women, and injuring many others. Survivors said the attackers moved house to house, shooting and hacking victims, forcing families to flee into nearby bushes.
Residents described the attack as one of the deadliest in recent months. “They came into the community around midnight and started shooting and hacking people to death,” said Philip Alanga, a local resident. Another witness, Chigoji Rocku, confirmed that three pregnant women were among those killed.
The Irigwe Development Association condemned the killings as “tragic and unacceptable,” urging security agencies to intensify operations to protect vulnerable communities and track down perpetrators. Efforts to reach Plateau State Police Command spokesman Alfred Alabo were unsuccessful.
Plateau State has long been plagued by recurring violence between farming and herding communities, often driven by land disputes, ethnic tensions, and banditry. Analysts warn that the latest attack underscores worsening insecurity in rural areas ahead of the 2027 elections.
On social media, outrage spread quickly under hashtags such as #PlateauAttack, #StopTheKillings, and #SecureNigeria. Many users demanded stronger military presence in rural communities, while activists accused both state and federal governments of failing to protect citizens. Civil society groups warned that unchecked violence could destabilize Plateau and neighboring states.
The humanitarian toll is mounting, with families displaced, communities traumatized, and trust in government eroded. Political observers say the killings will intensify pressure on authorities to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and restore confidence in democratic governance.
