In a tragic incident of escalating violence in northcentral Nigeria, armed men launched a deadly attack on remote villages, resulting in numerous casualties. The raid, which occurred late Monday night, has left the region in shock and mourning.
While the local Punch newspaper reported that at least 40 villagers were killed in the Wase district of Plateau State, official sources have confirmed 12 deaths so far. This discrepancy between official and witness accounts is not uncommon in such situations, as initial reports often vary.
The attack took place in the Zurak community of Wase, where gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on residents, forcing many to flee into the surrounding bushes. Musa Ashoms, the state commissioner for information, indicated that efforts were underway to search the area for additional casualties and injured individuals. “We are trying to comb the area to see whether we have more casualties or people with bullet wounds,” he stated.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in the region, largely attributed to the ongoing conflict between nomadic herders and rural farmers over control of land and water resources. This long-standing conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths over the years, with many attacks following a similar modus operandi.
According to Idris Wase, a federal legislator from the affected district, the attackers struck following a security operation aimed at eliminating their hideouts. The operation was intended to “wipe” out these armed groups from the area. Despite such efforts, local residents have frequently voiced their frustration over the ability of these assailants to conduct prolonged attacks and evade capture before security forces can intervene.
The region has experienced significant violence in recent months. In December, over 140 residents were killed in a series of coordinated attacks that targeted multiple communities over a two-day period. Such incidents highlight the persistent security challenges and the urgent need for effective measures to protect vulnerable communities.