Plateau Killings: Death toll rises to 53, 51 get mass burial

The number of people killed in Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 53.

Initial reports gave the future as 47, but a source close to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said more bodies were recovered after the villagers combed surrounding bushes.

Several others were also wounded in the Incident, which occurred on Sunday night 

National  Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Development Association (IDA) Samuel Jugo confirmed that the 51 killed were given a mass burial on Monday amidst tears and wailing by relations and other sympathisers who thronged the burial site.

It was gathered  that the gunmen in large numbers rode into the area on motorbikes at about 11:32 pm on Sunday and went on a killing rampage till the early hours of Monday, killing  no fewer than 53 persons.

The marauders, suspected to be killer Fulani herdsmen were said to be going from house to house to kill their victims. They also burnt their houses and several others were wounded in attempts to escape 

Those who sustained fatal gunshot wounds are currently being treated at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital.

It was also gathered that residents of Kwall and neighbouring villages and communities are leaving in droves  to Jos, the capital of the state, and other neighbouring local governments for to escape the onslaught of the marauders..

Giving accounts of the incident in a statement, Jugo, said that on the night of Sunday, there were sporadic gunshots from multiple locations in the community, adding that on the following morning, 51 people were killed.

He said that there were rumours before the attacks, and the security stationed in the area was notified, adding that the Sector 3 Commander confirmed he received the intel and mobilised his men to Kwall, but the carnage still took place.

 “This assault on a peace-loving people on their motherland is very provocative, vexing and undeserving. What is baffling residents most is the intent of the Drone Station in Kwall, which should have been deployed for reconnaissance when rumours filtered in.

The association  called on the federal  and   State governments to wade before the already precarious situation becomes uncontrollable..