Former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang, has condemned the recent wave of killings in the state, describing them as calculated acts of aggression rather than mere communal clashes.
His statement comes in the wake of the midnight massacre in Zikke hamlet, Kimakpa community of Kwall District, Bassa Local Government Area, where at least 51 people were killed on Sunday, April 14.
The attack, which targeted the Irigwe ethnic group in the Bassa region, has sparked national outrage and intensified calls for urgent security intervention.
In a press statement released on April 15, Senator Jang extended his condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Plateau State. He expressed concern over the federal government’s apparent mischaracterization of the crisis, insisting that the killings were not communal in nature but the work of a known group with a violent agenda.
“The attacks in Plateau State are not merely communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda,” Jang stated. “It is crucial for the President to understand the true nature of these attacks in order to address them effectively.”
While commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his efforts to find lasting solutions and acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s stated commitment to ending the bloodshed, Jang advised the President to go further by convening an expanded meeting with community leaders across the state.
“This would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the President to develop a more informed approach to tackling this problem,” he said.
Jang’s comments echo sentiments expressed by leaders and survivors in the aftermath of the Zikke massacre. Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youth Movement, described the scene as “tragic,” with entire families wiped out and homes reduced to ashes.
“We signed peace agreements, but they have proven worthless. The other side never kept their end of the deal,” Bini lamented.
Local lawmaker Hon. Eli Bako Ankala, who represents the affected constituency, also decried the government’s failure to establish security outposts in vulnerable communities. “If people begin to seek retribution due to government inaction, the situation may spiral out of control,” he warned.
As calls for justice and proper classification of the violence intensify, Senator Jang urged the people of Plateau State to remain united, vigilant, and proactive in defending their communities.
“The people of Plateau have endured enough. It is time for us to defend ourselves against these aggressors and demand justice,” he declared.
The recent killings in Bassa add to a growing death toll from a series of violent attacks across the state, including an earlier incident in Bokkos that claimed over 50 lives. As residents continue to bury their dead, many fear the consequences of further delay in decisive federal action.
