…Among those buried in the Plateau mass burial were five members of the same family, who were reportedly followed into their bedrooms and killed.
PLATEAU, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Residents and community leaders in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday laid to rest seven people killed in a recent gunmen attack on the community.
The burial, which took place at a primary school in Miango, occurred less than a week after nine victims of a separate terror attack in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, were also buried. The ceremony was marked by protests and visible anger over the persistent violence in the area.
Mourners displayed placards bearing messages such as “Irigwe lives matter,” “Stop this Christian genocide,” “End Christian Genocide in Nigeria,” “Listen to the cries of our widows,” and “Justice for the slain victims.”
The National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, Ezekiel Bini, denounced the killings, lamenting that the community was weary of repeated burials and demanding justice and protection. He expressed frustration that the violence had continued for over two decades, alleging that their concerns had been ignored. He also claimed that the situation amounted to a targeted campaign against Christians, noting that one of the deceased was a Fulani man who was also a Christian.
Bini further criticised the arrest of some community members over unrelated matters, insisting that no Irigwe indigene should be held responsible for incidents they were not involved in. He warned against arrests linked to disputes over cattle, declaring that the community would no longer tolerate such actions.
The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic group, His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, described the occasion as a dark moment for the people. He attributed the crisis largely to open grazing, arguing that it must end to restore peace. He appealed to the government to urgently intervene, stressing that leadership is meaningless without the safety of the people.
Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Joshua Riti, assured residents that the council was working closely with security agencies to track down those responsible for the attack.
Among the victims buried was Abbas Musa, a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a health officer with Bassa LGA, who was shot dead in his home on February 23, 2026.
Also killed were five members of the same family, Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday, and Tarma Monday, who were reportedly trailed into their bedrooms and murdered by the attackers on February 26, 2026.
The latest killings have further escalated tensions in the community, with residents renewing calls for stronger security measures to prevent more bloodshed.
