By Ayomide Otitoju
At least 13 people have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack by suspected gunmen on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, threw the community into panic, with several residents sustaining injuries of varying severity.
A resident, Philip Alanga, said the attackers invaded the community around midnight, shooting indiscriminately and attacking residents with machetes and other weapons as they moved from house to house.
“They came into the community around midnight and started shooting and hacking people to death,” he said, adding that many residents fled into nearby bushes while others were injured and left in need of urgent medical care.
The Secretary General of the Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Auta, confirmed the attack, describing it as barbaric and tragic.
He lamented the recurring violence in Bassa and other parts of Plateau State, calling on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and ensure the protection of rural communities.
Attempts to reach the police for confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The latest attack comes days after gunmen killed five people and injured three others in Nding Susut community in the Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Residents said that earlier attack occurred around 8 p.m. when armed men opened fire on people sitting outside their homes, triggering widespread panic in the area.
Community member Weng Christopher said one victim initially escaped but was later tracked down and killed by the attackers, describing the situation as increasingly frightening for residents.
The Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, also condemned the repeated killings, calling the attacks disturbing and unacceptable.
