Dare Babalola
No fewer than 13 persons, including pregnant women, were reportedly killed in a fresh attack by gunmen on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Several other residents were also said to have sustained injuries during the incident, which occurred around midnight on Friday while members of the community were asleep.
Residents said the attackers invaded the area and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic as villagers fled for safety.
A community member, Philip Alanga, who spoke with journalists in Jos on Friday, said the assailants moved from house to house during the assault.
“They came into the community and started shooting. They moved from one house to another attacking innocent people,” he said.
Another resident, Chigoji Rocku, disclosed that three pregnant women were among those killed in the attack.
The Secretary General of the Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Auta, also confirmed the incident and described the killings as tragic and unacceptable.
Auta decried the repeated attacks on communities in Bassa Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.
He also urged security operatives to track down those behind the attack and ensure they are brought to justice to prevent further violence.
As of the time of filing this report, spokespersons of Operation Enduring Peace and the Plateau State Police Command had yet to respond to inquiries on the incident.
