Mass Burial Held for Seven Plateau Attack Victims Amidst Protests and Calls for Justice
In a somber ceremony marked by grief and outrage, seven victims of a recent attack in Plateau State were laid to rest in a mass burial on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The victims, who were killed in Nche Shwerishi Miango, Bassa Local Government Area, on February 26, 2026, were buried at a primary school in Miango, highlighting the ongoing violence plaguing the region.
Details of the Attack and Burial
The assailants stormed the community, followed the victims into their bedrooms, and killed them in a brutal assault. This burial comes just days after nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were also buried, underscoring a pattern of violence in Plateau State. The ceremony was not only a moment of mourning but also a platform for public protest, with mourners carrying 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."
Community Leaders Condemn Violence and Demand Action
Ezekiel Bini, the National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, expressed deep frustration over the continuous attacks. "We are tired of burying our people. We demand justice and protection for our community," he stated. Bini emphasized that the violence has persisted for over two decades, with little response from authorities. "We thought this nonsense would have stopped by now after two decades. We can no longer take this nonsense again. We have been crying, and no one seems to hear us. And when we say there is Christian genocide going on, some people won’t believe it. But right here, among the corpses, there is a Fulani man who is a Christian."
Bini also criticized the arrest of community members over unrelated incidents, warning that the Irigwe people would not tolerate unjust accusations. "No Irigwe man should take responsibility for something we don’t know. We will not take it. If you arrest any Irigwe because of the death of any cow, we will not take it again. Enough is enough."
Royalty and Local Government Respond
His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, the Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality, described the day as "a dark day for our community" and pointed to open grazing as a root cause of the conflict. "Our problem is open grazing. My people are being killed. Open grazing must stop for us to have peace in Nigeria. I’m calling on the government to intervene in this matter. You can’t be a Chief without the people," he added, urging governmental intervention to address the issue.
Joshua Riti, Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, assured residents of coordinated efforts with security agencies to apprehend the attackers, promising action to restore safety in the area.
Victims Identified and Remembered
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 Monday, February 23, 2026. The other victims included five family members: Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday, and Tarma Monday. Their deaths have left a profound impact on the community, fueling calls for an end to the cycle of violence and for justice to be served.
This incident adds to a growing list of attacks in Plateau State, raising concerns about security and the need for sustainable solutions to prevent further loss of life.
