At least 51 people were killed and dozens injured in a series of brutal attacks by suspected Islamist militants on Christian communities in Plateau State, Nigeria’s Middle Belt, during the early hours of April 14, 2025.
The assaults targeted the villages of Zike and Kimakpa in the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), where more than 100 armed assailants invaded around 1 a.m., shooting residents indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.
The violence marks a continuation of deadly attacks in the region, coming less than two weeks after a similar assault on April 2 in Bokkos LGA, where 52 people were killed in the communities of Hurti, Josho, and Daffo. The initial death toll from that attack was reported as 40 but later rose as more victims succumbed to their injuries.
Wakili Tongwe, a community leader in Bassa, was in a neighboring village when the latest attacks began and heard the initial gunfire. “By the time we got back, 36 were already dead,” he recounted. “Some died later from their wounds.” Tongwe joined residents in pleading for increased government intervention, emphasizing the need for proactive military protection. “We are tired of burying our people every other week,” he said. “The government must do more than deploy troops after the damage is done.”
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has repeatedly described the attacks as “organized and genocidal.” In a recent interview, he stated, “There is no other explanation. Entire communities have been taken over, renamed, and occupied by the assailants.” The governor’s remarks highlight the systematic nature of the violence, which has displaced countless families and eroded communal stability.
Since 2009, an estimated 45,000 Christians across northern and Middle Belt Nigeria have been killed in Islamist violence, according to regional reports. The recurring attacks have fueled calls for stronger security measures and accountability for the perpetrators.
The victims of the April 14 attacks in Zike and Kimakpa ranged in age from 3 to 94, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of the violence. The confirmed list of those killed includes:
- Musa Dako, 64 years
- Daniel Adams, 27 years
- Obadiah Usman, 31 years
- Zinas James, 22 years
- Monday Sareke, 37 years
- Yohanna Kusa, 43 years
- Janet Danjuma, 29 years
- Sunday Dako, 49 years
- Reuben Adamu, 94 years
- Dogara Adamu, 69 years
- Bulus Moses, 26 years
- Stephen John, 28 years
- Menche Stephen, 7 years
- Nema Stephen, 4 years
- Mary Stephen, 24 years
- Wiki John, 30 years
- Joshua John Bagu, 46 years
- Margaret Morris, 6 years
- Debene Morris, 4 years
- Monday Sale, 52 years
- Salama Agah, 15 years
- Laraba Agah, 4 years
- Talatu Mangwa, 42 years
- Grace David, 45 years
- Lovina Monday, 19 years
- Agah Monday, 4 years
- Naomi Monday, 37 years
- Noel David, 13 years
- Jummai Stephen, 10 years
- Monday Keyi, 37 years
- Jerry Moses, 7 years
- James Moses, 10 years
- Jacob Moses, 3 years
- Danjuma Gado, 38 years
- Friday Moses, 14 years
- Talatu Moses, 47 years
- Akus Moses, 46 years
- Asi Jerry, 58 years
- Tele Zea, 29 years
- Bre Shetu Nanzhwa, 61 years
- Nanzhwa Ive, 5 years
- Kaja Daniel, 42 years
- Elisha Anthony, 37 years
- Anna Anthony, 67 years
- Danlami Randum (Mula), 49 years
- Ado Danjuma, 17 years
- Sarah Kula, 16 years
- Ishaya Moses, 10 years
- Juan Moses, 5 years
- Sunday Mangwa, 25 years
- Moses Bala, 43 years
The loss of these individuals, including young children and elderly residents, has deepened the grief and frustration of the affected communities. As the region grapples with ongoing violence, the urgent need for effective security measures and justice for the victims remains a pressing concern.
