No fewer than 13 persons have reportedly been killed following a fresh attack by gunmen on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Several other residents were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries during the assault, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, throwing the community into panic.
According to Vanguard, residents said the attackers stormed the village around midnight, shooting sporadically and attacking villagers with machetes and other dangerous weapons.
A community member, Philip Alanga, who spoke with journalists in Jos, said the assailants invaded the area at about 12 a.m. and unleashed violence on helpless residents.
According to him, the attackers went from one house to another, killing and injuring residents while many families fled into nearby bushes for safety.
“They came into the community around midnight and started shooting and hacking people to death,” Alanga said.
“They moved from one house to another, attacking innocent people.”
He added that several persons sustained injuries during the attack, while many residents escaped by running into surrounding bushes in fear for their lives.
Another resident, Mr Chigoji Rocku, disclosed that three pregnant women were among those killed during the invasion.
The revelation further heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the state, especially in rural communities that have repeatedly come under violent attacks.
The Secretary-General of the Irigwe Development Association, Mr Danjuma Auta, confirmed the incident and described the killings as tragic and condemnable.
Auta lamented the recurring attacks on communities in Bassa Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
He urged security operatives to swiftly track down those responsible for the latest attack and ensure they are brought to justice.
“The repeated attacks on innocent communities are becoming too many. Security agencies must rise to the challenge of protecting lives and property,” he said.
No statement has been issued yet by the State command of the Nigeria Police Force to confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report, PrimeTimes Nigeria understands.