Mass Burial Held for Seven Victims of Plateau Attacks

Seven victims who were recently killed during an attack in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State were buried in a mass burial service. The tragic event took place on February 26, 2026, when attackers entered Nche Shwerishi Miango and murdered the victims in their own homes.

The burial ceremony occurred on Saturday, February 28, at a primary school in Miango, just a few days after a separate incident claimed nine lives in Dorowa Babuje, located in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The somber event was characterized by protests and widespread dissatisfaction among the attendees regarding ongoing violence in the region. Mourners displayed placards with 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.”

Ezekiel Bini, the National President of the Irigwe Youths Movement, spoke out against the attack, expressing, “We are tired of burying our people. We demand justice and protection for our community.” He highlighted the persistent violence, stating, “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 authorities for arresting community members over incidents unrelated to the attacks. He emphasized, “No Irigwe man should take responsibility for something we don’t know,” asserting the community's resolve to reject such actions. “If you arrest any Irigwe because of the death of any cow, we will not take it again. Enough is enough.”

The day was described as “a dark day for our community” by His Royal Highness Ronku Aku, the Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe ethnic nationality. He raised concerns over the dangers associated with open grazing in the area, stating, “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.

Additionally, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Joshua Riti, reassured the communities that security forces would work closely to capture those responsible for these violent acts.

Among the deceased honored during the ceremony was Abbas Musa, who had been a health officer within Bassa LGA and was a graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology; he was tragically shot at his home on February 23, 2026. Other victims included his relatives: Nancy Monday, Nuhu Isaiah, Henry Dah, Zongo Sunday, and Tarma Monday.