Fifteen people, including a one-year-old boy, were killed on Sunday night when gunmen attacked the hamlet of Ri Do, also known as Gidan Ado, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers, yet to be identified, invaded the community without provocation, leaving several others injured.
The Irigwe Development Association, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Sam Jugo, condemned the attack on the predominantly Irigwe community.
“The community was attacked at night without any provocation. This heinous act claimed 15 lives, including a one-year-old boy, and left many others injured,” the statement read.
The IDA expressed concerns about the timing of the attack, which occurred just days before Christmas, urging security agencies to prevent future incidents and avoid retaliation.
“The identities of the perpetrators have not yet been ascertained as of press time. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to speculate, as this might interfere with ongoing investigations by security agencies,” the IDA said.
The association appealed to its members for calm, stressing the need to allow security agencies to handle the situation. “While appealing for restraint on our side, the leadership of the Irigwe Development Association hopes that security agencies will act decisively to prevent further attacks or reprisals,” it added.
The victims were buried in a mass grave at the community burial ground.
Meanwhile, security agencies, including the joint task force Operation Safe Haven and the police, have yet to issue official statements regarding the incident.
This attack adds to the rising concerns about insecurity in Plateau State, as communities call for increased vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.
