Tension gripped parts of Plateau State on Saturday as seven persons killed in a recent attack on Nche Shwye Rishi community in Bassa Local Government Area were buried amid protests by grieving residents.
The victims were interred in a mass burial held at a primary school in Miango, with mourners decrying what they described as persistent violence in Irigwe land.
Gunmen had stormed the community late Thursday night, reportedly shooting sporadically into homes and throwing residents into panic.
While early accounts put the death toll at five with three injured, community sources later confirmed that seven people were killed in separate incidents in the area within days.
During the burial, demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Irigwe Lives Matter,” “Stop the senseless killings,” and “Justice for the slain victims,” as they demanded urgent action from authorities.
The National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, Ezekiel Bini, lamented the recurring attacks, saying the community had endured violence for over two decades.
“We believed this would have ended by now. Our people are exhausted and heartbroken. We have cried out repeatedly, yet the killings persist,” he said.
The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, HRH Ronku Aku, attributed the crisis to issues surrounding open grazing and urged government at all levels to take decisive steps to halt the bloodshed.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Joshua Riti, assured residents that he would collaborate with security agencies to ensure those responsible were tracked down and brought to justice.
Among the deceased was Abbas Musa, a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a health officer, who was reportedly shot in his residence.
Five members of the same family were also said to have been killed after attackers allegedly chased them into their bedrooms.
In a related development, the Berom Youth Moulders Association raised concerns over alleged threats to the life of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the group claimed the threats were linked to Mwantiri’s vocal stance on insecurity in Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt, alleging that armed elements had placed a bounty on him.
The association called on security agencies to provide adequate protection for its leader and thoroughly investigate the alleged threats, while urging residents to remain calm but vigilant.