According to Vanguard, following a brutal Sunday night attack in Zike hamlet, Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, a survivor, Eric Danlami, shared a harrowing account of the violence and fear that led to the tragic death of his sister.The attackers struck at midnight while families were asleep, leaving devastation in their wake.
Eric recalled that the night began like any other, with no indication of any looming danger. “We had retired to bed in the night without any form of suspicion of any kind of problems,” he said.However, this sense of peace was short-lived. Around midnight, the family was jolted awake by loud, sporadic gunfire and the sounds of people moving chaotically through the hamlet.
In the panic that ensued, Eric and his sister sought shelter in one of the rooms of their home, hoping to avoid detection.
“At the time we heard the sporadic gunshots and movement of the people, we found a place to hide in one of the rooms,” he explained.
They were unaware that the attackers had already breached their compound and entered the boy’s quarters where Eric’s elder brother lived with his family.The assailants committed a horrific act, killing almost the entire household.“Not knowing that the attackers had already entered our elder brother’s apartment at the boy’s quarter and slaughtered them, a family of five,” Eric said.
He added that his brother’s wife and first son were the only ones who survived the attack, and both are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.The tragedy deepened when Eric’s sister, who was hiding with him, became overwhelmed by fear and decided to move to a different hiding place.
“My sister, whom we were hiding together in a room, was afraid that they would enter the house,” he said.Her attempt to escape led to her being seen by the attackers.”As she left the place we were hiding to go to another hiding place, she was sighted. They shot at her and she didn’t survive it,” he recounted with pain.In the aftermath of the attack, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the grieving community on Tuesday.
Accompanied by heads of the state’s security agencies, the governor toured Zike and other parts of Bassa Local Government Area to commiserate with the affected families and assure them of his administration’s commitment to their safety and wellbeing.During the visit, Governor Mutfwang addressed the ongoing security concerns and outlined the state government’s efforts to prevent further violence.
He stated that the government has reviewed and is restructuring the state’s security system.He emphasized that these changes aim to forestall future attacks and ensure lasting peace and stability in Plateau State.As the community mourns its dead and tries to heal from the trauma, survivors like Eric are left with the painful memories of a night filled with terror and loss.The governor’s visit provided a measure of comfort, but the need for concrete security improvements remains critical.
