A deadly attack in the early hours of Monday has left at least 25 people dead and dozens injured in Kimakpa village, Miango district of Bassa LGA, Plateau State, marking yet another devastating blow in the region’s ongoing security crisis.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the quiet village at about 2:45 am, unleashing a wave of violence that residents described as “unprovoked and ruthless.” While official sources have confirmed 25 fatalities, some local sources allege the death toll could be as high as 47.
“It was a nightmare they came in the dark, shooting everywhere,” a resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters. “We have never seen anything like this.”
The attack triggered an emergency response from a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, police officers, and mobile police units stationed at Miango, following distress calls from residents.
According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on security issues in the region, security operatives engaged the assailants in a gun duel, preventing further casualties and destruction. A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of 25 bodies, while four injured victims were evacuated to nearby hospitals.
However, a Nigerian Red Cross official later confirmed that 22 individuals are currently receiving treatment for varying degrees of injuries sustained during the assault.
Troops have since launched a manhunt for the attackers and have reinforced security presence in and around Kimakpa village. “We won’t stop until the perpetrators are caught,” said a military source involved in the operation.
As of the time of reporting, Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The latest killings add to the grim tally of lives lost in Plateau’s recurring cycle of violence, further fueling calls for decisive government action.
Meanwhile, In a swift and coordinated response, troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) successfully rescued 16 passengers, including six children, who were kidnapped along the Jos–Mangu road in Plateau State.
The rescue mission was triggered late Sunday night, April 13, 2025, when troops conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A discovered an abandoned vehicle near Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area at around 9 p.m. Suspecting foul play, the soldiers launched an immediate search of the surrounding area.
According to military sources, the kidnappers opened fire upon spotting the advancing troops. “But our men responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon their captives,” said a senior military official involved in the operation.
All 16 victims were rescued unhurt, with only a few sustaining minor injuries. First aid was administered on the spot before the passengers were escorted safely to continue their journey to Jos Metropolis.
“It was a tense moment, but our priority was the safe recovery of every victim,” a soldier who participated in the mission shared anonymously. “We’re glad we could get them out alive, especially the children.”
The army confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange.
OPSH emphasized its resolve to secure lives and property across the region. “We will continue to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate,” the task force declared in an official statement.
The successful rescue operation has been widely praised by local residents, who called it a rare win in the ongoing fight against kidnapping in the region.