Amnesty International condemns Plateau massacre, demands urgent probe into security failures

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Zikke village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which claimed the lives of at least 51 people in a late-night raid over the weekend.

The global human rights group described the massacre as “horrific” and pointed to significant lapses in security that allowed the assailants to carry out the carnage without resistance.

In a statement issued via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Amnesty International Nigeria expressed outrage over the scale of the violence and the repeated failure of authorities to protect vulnerable communities in Plateau State.

“Many of the victims of last night’s deadly attack that could not run — including children and the elderly — were slaughtered and left in pools of blood,” the organization wrote.

The attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, also saw surrounding villages razed, homes looted, and properties destroyed.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of terror as heavily armed gunmen invaded the area, killing indiscriminately and leaving trails of devastation.

This incident marks yet another grim chapter in a region plagued by recurring violence. It comes barely two weeks after a similar attack in Bokkos Local Government Area that left 52 people dead.

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The renewed violence has heightened fears among residents and further exposed the fragility of security in the area.

Amnesty International is calling for a transparent and urgent investigation into the attack and has urged the Nigerian government to take concrete steps to end the cycle of violence and impunity.

“The continued bloodshed in Plateau underscores the grave security lapses and lack of accountability that embolden attackers. Nigerian authorities must act swiftly and decisively to bring perpetrators to justice and restore safety to rural communities,” the group stated.

Bassa Local Government Area has long been one of the epicenters of deadly violence in Plateau, often driven by deep-seated communal tensions and competition over land and resources.

Despite persistent warnings and appeals from residents, security responses in the region have often been reactive rather than preventive.

Local sources say that residents had previously raised alarms about suspicious movements in the area but received little attention from security agencies.

As of the time of this report, neither the Plateau State government nor federal security agencies had issued a formal statement addressing the attack.

With public outrage growing and civil society demanding answers, all eyes are now on the government to not only investigate the Zikke massacre but also to implement lasting solutions that protect lives and foster lasting peace in Plateau and other vulnerable regions across Nigeria.