JUST-IN: Again, 45 Persons Killed, Scores Injured In Plateau

Not fewer than 45 persons have been confirmed killed and many others injured following a brutal attack on Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa local government area of Plateau State.

The incident, which occurred late Sunday night has left the affected community in grief and devastation.

LEADERSHIP also gathered that about 30 homes were reportedly razed down by the rampaging gunmen.

A source from the community told our correspondent that gunmen invaded the area and started shooting sporadically on Sunday night.

Secretary General of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Danjuma Dickson Auta, who confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with newsmen, said over 45 bodies have so far been recovered and still counting.

According to him, the scale of the violence suggested a well-planned and coordinated assault on the community.

Meanwhile the Plateau State Government has condemned in strong terms, another unprovoked attack by gunmen on Zike Kimakpa community.

The Commissioner of Information and Communication in the state, Hon Joyce Ramnap, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, descibed the attack as one too many, adding that these series of attacks posed existential threat to the lives and livelihoods of the peace-loving people of the state.

“It is sad that in less than two weeks after our people were killed in Bokkos local government, this sad incident is reoccurring in another community in Bassa local government.”

She described the attack as another attempt to puncture the peace that has gradually returned to the State, maintaining that the attacks were provocative but called on the peaceful people of the state particularly in the attacked communities, to remain calm and equally vigilant.

The Commissioner emphasised that the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led administration is determined to deal decisively with individual or groups found culpable in attacking innocent persons in the state.

She also advised against reprisals by the people of the state while urging the security operatives to go after the perpetrators of these dastardly attacks.