Residents and community leaders in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State laid to rest seven people on Saturday who were killed in a recent attack by gunmen in the area.
The burial took place at a primary school in Miango, coming just a week after nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were buried. Saturday’s ceremony was marked by protests and widespread outrage over the ongoing violence.
Mourners carried placards reading “Irigwe lives matter,” “Stop this Christian genocide,” “End Christian Genocide in Nigeria,” “Listen to the cries of our widows,” and “Justice for the slain victims.”
Ezekiel Bini, National President of Irigwe Youths Movement, 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 who is a Christian.”
Bini also criticised the detention of community members over unrelated matters, adding, “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.”
The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, called the day “a dark day for our community” and highlighted the dangers of open grazing, stating, “Our problem is open grazing. My people are being killed. Open grazing must stop for us to have peace in Nigeria. I’m calling on the government to intervene in this matter. You can’t be a Chief without the people.”
Joshua Riti, Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, assured the community of coordinated action with security agencies to track and apprehend the perpetrators.
Among those interred on Saturday was Abbas Musa, a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a health officer with Bassa LGA, who was shot dead in his home on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Other victims included five family members—Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday, and Tarma Monday—who were reportedly pursued into their bedrooms and killed by the assailants on February 26, 2026.
The attacks have escalated tensions in the region, with residents demanding stronger security measures to prevent further loss of life.