Seven people killed in a fresh attack in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, have been laid to rest.
The assailants reportedly invaded Nche Shwerishi Miango on February 26, 2026, pursued the victims into their homes and killed them in their bedrooms.
The burial ceremony took place on Saturday, February 28, at a primary school in Miango. It came just days after nine victims of a separate attack in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were buried.
Saturday’s event was marked by protests and expressions of anger over the recurring violence in the area. Mourners displayed placards bearing messages such as “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.”
The National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, Ezekiel Bini, condemned the killings, saying the community was exhausted from repeated burials and demanding justice and protection.
He lamented that the violence had persisted for more than two decades and criticised what he described as a lack of response to the community’s distress calls. Bini also objected to the arrest of community members over unrelated incidents, warning against what he called unfair targeting of Irigwe people.
The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, described the incident as “a dark day” for the community. He identified open grazing as a major source of tension and urged the government to intervene to restore peace.
Chairman of Bassa LGA, Joshua Riti, assured residents that the council was working with security agencies to track down those responsible for the attack.
Among those buried 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 February 23, 2026.
The other victims included five members of the same family: Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday and Tarma Monday.
