Another violence has struck Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which led to the death two people and leading to destruction of more than 20 farms in Nkiedonwhro village. The attack, was said occurred on Monday night, has increased serious tensions in the region, which has seen recurring conflict between farming communities and suspected herders in recent years.
It was gathered that heavily armed assailants, believed to be herders, stormed Nkiedonwhro village under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and setting several homes and farmlands ablaze.
Eyewitnesses said that the attackers moved in swiftly and systematically, target group of farms farming.The invasion lasted for many hours. The two victims—both male residents in their 40s—were reportedly shot while trying to escape the onslaught. Their bodies were recovered early Tuesday morning by local youth and vigilante groups.
Residents described the scene as one of devastation. Burnt farm produce, destroyed barns, and charred remnants of homes lay scattered across the village. “This is not just an attack on our people, but on our means of survival,” said Ruth Nyam, a community health worker. “We just began the planting season, and now everything is gone.”
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The village of Nkiedonwhro, located near the border with Kaduna State, has previously been identified as a flashpoint in the ongoing farmer-herder conflict. Many locals accuse the government of failing to implement long-term security measures despite repeated warnings and earlier incidents.
Security forces reportedly arrived at the village in the early hours of Tuesday, several hours after the Invaders had fled. At that moment, the people of the community had already begun burying the dead and salvaging what remained of their possessions. The delay in response has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and civil society groups.
Hon. Ayuba Sule, a community elder, lamented, “We are tired of empty promises. This is the third attack in two months. We need proactive measures, not just investigations after lives are lost.”
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway. It also stated that additional security personnel have been deployed to the region to forestall any reprisal attacks or further violence. Despite this, many villagers have begun fleeing Nkiedonwhro and nearby hamlets, fearing renewed attacks.
This latest assault adds to the long list of violent incidents in the Middle Belt region, where clashes over land use, grazing rights, and ethnic tensions continue to cause devastation. Human rights organizations have reiterated their calls for both state and federal governments to address the root causes of the conflict, emphasizing the need for equitable land reforms, disarmament of non-state actors, and community reconciliation initiatives.
As Nkiedonwhro mourns its dead and counts its losses, many fear that without urgent intervention, the cycle of violence will only continue.
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