Amnesty International has condemned the latest deadly attack in Plateau State, where armed men stormed Zikke village in Bassa Local Government Area, killing at least 51 residents in a late-night assault.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the international human rights organization described the incident as “horrific,” expressing outrage over what it called glaring security failures that allowed the attackers to operate without resistance.
According to Amnesty, the gunmen not only killed dozens of villagers — including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly — but also torched nearby settlements, looted homes, and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
“Many of the victims who couldn’t escape — children and the elderly among them — were brutally slaughtered and left in pools of blood,” the group said.
The tragedy occurred barely two weeks after a similar attack claimed 52 lives in the same region, further highlighting the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State.
Amnesty International is now calling for a thorough and impartial investigation to identify those responsible and ensure justice for the victims.
The organization urged Nigerian authorities to address the persistent security gaps that have left rural communities across Plateau exposed to repeated, deadly violence.
Zikke village lies in Bassa LGA, an area that has seen recurring clashes often fueled by long-standing ethnic and resource-related tensions.
Community leaders and residents have consistently warned of inadequate security presence, raising concerns about the government’s ability to prevent further attacks.
As at press time, officials from the Plateau State government and security agencies were yet to comment on the latest violence.
