Seven victims of a deadly terror attack in the Nche Shwye Rishi community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, were buried on Saturday amid deep grief and growing fear among residents.
The attack occurred late Thursday night when gunmen invaded the community around 10 p.m., firing sporadically into homes and spreading panic.
Initial reports indicated five deaths, including children, with three others seriously injured; however, updated information from community sources confirmed seven fatalities in the Irigwe land over recent days.
The victims were laid to rest on Saturday as the community mourned their tragic loss.
This comes barely one week after nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, were laid to rest in a mass burial conducted in the community.
The latest mass burial, which took place at a primary school in Miango on Saturday, was marked by protests and outrage over the continued attacks on the community.
Some of the inscriptions on the placard of the protesting mourners read “Irigwe lives matter”, “Stop this Christian genocide”, “End Christian Genocide in Nigeria”, “Listen to the cries of our widows”, “Justice for the slain victims”, “Stop the senseless killings”, among others.
National President of Irigwe Youths Movement, Ezekiel Bini, condemned the attack, saying, “We are tired of burying our people. We demand justice and protection for our community.
“We thought this nonsense would have stopped by now after two decades. We can no longer take this nonsense again.
“We have been crying and no one seems to hear us and when we say there is Christian genocide going on, some people won’t believe it. But right here, among the corpses, there is a Fulani man that is a Christian.”
The youth president also condemned the arrest of persons over the death of cows which they know nothing about.
“No Irigwe man should take responsibility for something we don’t know. We will not take it. If you arrest any Irigwe because of the death of any cow, we will not take it again. Enough is enough,” he added.
The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, also expressed outrage, stating, “This is a dark day for our community. Our problem is open grazing. My people are being killed.
“Open grazing must stop for us to have peace in Nigeria. I am calling on the government to intervene in this matter. You can’t be a chief without the people,” the monarch said.
Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Joshua Riti, promised to work with security agencies to ensure the attackers are caught and punished.
It is reported that among the seven victims given the mass burial on Saturday was late Abbas Musa, a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and health officer with Bassa LGA who was shot dead by the gunmen in his house last Monday.
Other victims were five family members: Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday and Tarma Monday who were said to have escaped into their bedrooms but were followed and shot dead by their attackers on Thursday.
In a related development, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has raised the alarm over credible intelligence indicating imminent threats to the life of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Mwantiri.
In a statement issued in Jos and signed by National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong, they linked the threats directly to Mwantiri’s outspoken advocacy on the worsening security situation in Plateau State and the Middle Belt.
The statement reads that this includes his public exposure of persistent attacks and alleged land-grabbing by violent armed groups.
The statement alleged that terrorist militants have placed a “huge bounty” on his head and are perfecting plots to track his movements and cause harm, possibly through surveillance, trailing, infiltration via local collaborators, or methods designed to appear accidental or natural.
The BYM highlighted that Mwantiri’s efforts have angered perpetrators, especially given reports of over 3,000 Berom lives lost, mostly women and children, in attacks across Plateau communities.
Describing the threats as an assault on freedom of speech and civic engagement, the group condemned any attempt to silence critics through intimidation or violence.
“We urgently call on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, Operation Enduring Peace, and other relevant security agencies to immediately provide adequate protection for the BYM President and launch thorough investigations into these threats,” the statement reads.
The association appealed to the Plateau State Government and federal authorities to treat the intelligence seriously and act decisively to avert any breakdown of law and order.
It urged the public, particularly community leaders and youths, to remain vigilant, calm, and law-abiding, while reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
The BYM reaffirmed that the Berom people and other Plateau communities will not be silenced by threats and reiterated their commitment to peace, justice, and protecting innocent lives in their ancestral lands.
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