LAGOS, Apr. 14 (AGCNewsNet) — At least 40 people were killed in a midnight assault on the Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the region this year.

The assault, which occurred around midnight on Monday and lasted nearly two hours, has also displaced nearly 1,000 residents, according to Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, the national publicity secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement.

Yonkpa confirmed that many of the injured are being treated at Jos University Teaching Hospital and other local medical facilities. The Zike community, primarily inhabited by the Irigwe ethnic group, has suffered repeated violent attacks in recent weeks. Over 20 people were killed in separate incidents even before the latest violence.

Peter Mba, a resident of the embattled community, decried the deteriorating security situation. “We are not safe. We need government and security operatives to help us. The atrocities committed by these militias extend beyond ambushes and killings,” he said.

Plateau State Police Command spokesperson Alfred Alubo confirmed the incident but noted that the full casualty figures are still being compiled. A formal statement is expected soon.

The attack comes despite high-level security visits to Plateau State in recent weeks. Nigerian Army Chief of Staff Olufemi Oluyede and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had both pledged improved security following previous killings in the area. However, local communities say the promises have not translated into meaningful protection on the ground.

Plateau State, a region with a history of ethno-religious tensions, has seen a surge in attacks by armed groups targeting rural communities. Human rights advocates continue to call for swift government intervention to stem the violence and provide humanitarian relief for displaced residents.

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